State and non-State actors in creating challenges to Internal Security
India was partitioned in the backdrop of large-scale communal riots, but the partition of the country on religious lines, without taking into consideration its multiple identities, instead of bringing the communal tensions down, in fact, worsened the situation. The two-nation theory created Pakistan, and it still survives on this theory. Pakistan finds it difficult to accept the reality that India continues to be a democratic, plural, multireligious Society and that India today has more Muslim citizens than Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan has taken upon itself the responsibility of not only protecting its own citizens, but also the Indian Muslims. The power structure in theocratic Pakistan, dominated by the army, the feudal landlords, the Bureaucracy and the religious leaders has been able to retain its hold over the levers of power by playing the anti- India and Islamic cards. Pakistan plays the Islamic card in its Foreign Policy also. It misses no opportunity to club India as an anti-Islamic country where Muslims are not safe. The continuing tensions between India and Pakistan have a direct bearing on the internal situation in India. They have further complicated the internal security situation.
In a well-established political system and a developed economy, conflicts between the various group identities are kept under check as in due course they get assimilated into the national identity. But that has not happened in India as yet, where the wounds of the partition and the colonial rule have still not fully healed. Moreover, the dependence on the government by a large section of our people for their very survival sharpens these conflicts among them. The democratic institutions and the state structures are still not strong enough to fully harmonise these conflicts in a peaceful manner. Violence erupts when conflicting interests cannot be consensually reconciled. The hostile external forces, taking advantage of this situation through subversive propaganda, further accentuate these conflicts. They give material and ideological support to aggravate this sense of grievance to such an extent that a small minority are willing to become tools in their hands to subvert the stability and security of the country.
In addition, a number of secessionist and the so-called revolutionary movements are operating in India today. Their goal could be to overthrow the government and bring about revolutionary changes in the structure and functioning of the state, or even secession from the Indian Union. Ever since independence, India has been facing all types of violent conflicts based on religion, caste, language, ethnicity and regional loyalties. Political insecurity further compounds the problem. Preoccupied with the problem of survival, the governments in some of the most affected states are not looking at the problem from a long-term perspective.
They have bought temporary peace by compromising with the subversive forces. Such shortsighted policies can have disastrous consequences in the long run. Instead of effectively dealing with them in the initial stages when the problem is manageable, they have allowed these anti-national forces to take roots and spread their tentacles far and wide. When a State Government is unable to effectively deal with them, instead of strengthening the state police machinery, it rushes to the Centre to hand over its responsibility at the first sign of any serious trouble.
It is not surprising that in these states some sections of the police have actually joined hands with the subversive forces against the central forces. “If you cannot fight them, join them”. Finding themselves at the mercy of these subversive forces, the people tend to change sides and start supporting them instead of supporting the security forces. It would be wrong to assume that all those supporting, directly or indirectly, these forces are sympathetic to their ideology. Far from it! For most of them, preoccupied with the daily battle of survival, this is the obvious choice, because the police are unable to protect them. Polarisation on caste and religious lines can further reduce the credibility of the police in the minds of the people.
The mushrooming of armed ‘Senas’ on caste and ethnic lines in some parts of the country is a direct consequence of the polarisation of the society. This phenomenon has also affected the police and the administration in general. Loss of public confidence in the capacity of the state to protect their life and property is the primary cause of this dangerous development. Far from controlling them, a politicised and partisan police actually encourages this development. The tensions in some parts of the country, especially in the tribal areas, due to a perceived threat to their identity is not new, but the rise of so many violent movements is a relatively recent development. In the border states these movements become secessionist because of the support they receive from the hostile neighbouring states.
The rise of fundamentalist forces is posing the most serious threat to India’s security. Fired with religious zeal these forces have created an entirely new situation. The intelligence agencies in our neighbourhood and the organisations, like Al Qaida, and Jaish-e-Mohammad, are encouraging the so-called ‘Jehadis’ to enter India from outside. After first targeting the border states they have now spread deep inside the country. These bands of fanatics are not only indulging in subversive activities, but are spreading the virus of fundamentalism among the Indian Muslims. The break-up of the Indian Union continues to be the main goal of Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policy. Easy availability of deadly weapons with the subversive groups operating in India has created new dangers for India’s security.
With the ‘Golden Crescent’, and the ‘Golden Triangle’ in India’s neighbourhood, drug trafficking poses yet another threat to our security. Drug syndicates are generating huge funds, a part of which is being used to give financial support to some of these subversive groups. The intelligence agencies like the ISI are recruiting a number of ‘carriers’ in drug trafficking as their agents. These agencies provide legal immunity for their criminal activities in their own country in addition to giving them financial and logistical support. Internal security challenges are not confined to any one area, but the North-East, Jammu and Kashmir, and the areas afflicted by Left extremism deserve special mention.,
State and non-state actors can create challenges to internal security in a variety of ways. Some of the most common challenges include terrorism, insurgency, secessionism, cybercrime, organized crime, Corruption, POVERTY, social inequality, Environmental Degradation, natural disasters, public Health crises, economic instability, political instability, and foreign intervention.
Terrorism is the use of violence or the threat of violence to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals. Terrorists often target civilians in order to create fear and panic. They may also use suicide bombings, kidnappings, and other forms of violence to achieve their goals.
Insurgency is a form of armed conflict in which an organized group of people, typically with the support of a significant portion of the Population, seeks to overthrow the established government through violence. Insurgents often use guerrilla tactics, such as ambushes and hit-and-run attacks, to wear down the government’s forces.
Secessionism is the attempt by a group of people to break away from a larger political entity and form their own independent state. Secessionists often argue that they are being denied their right to self-determination or that they are being oppressed by the larger state.
Cybercrime is a crime that is committed using computers or the Internet. Cybercrimes can include identity theft, credit card fraud, and online scams. Cybercriminals often use sophisticated techniques to steal personal information or financial data.
Organized crime is a criminal activity that is carried out by a group of people on a large scale. Organized crime groups often engage in activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and Money laundering. They may also use violence or intimidation to achieve their goals.
Corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain. Corruption can take many forms, such as bribery, extortion, and Nepotism. Corruption can undermine the Rule of Law and lead to economic instability.
Poverty is a state of deprivation or lack of Resources. Poverty can be caused by a variety of factors, such as Unemployment, low wages, and lack of Education. Poverty can lead to social unrest and crime.
Social inequality is the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and opportunity in society. Social inequality can be caused by a variety of factors, such as race, gender, and class. Social inequality can lead to crime, violence, and social unrest.
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the natural Environment. Environmental degradation can be caused by human activities, such as pollution, deforestation, and Climate change. Environmental degradation can lead to natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.
Natural disasters are events that occur naturally, such as Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Natural disasters can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
Public health crises are events that occur when a large number of people become ill or die from a disease. Public health crises can be caused by natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, or by human activities, such as pollution.
Economic instability is a condition in which the economy is not growing or is growing at a slow rate. Economic instability can lead to unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.
Political instability is a condition in which the government is not stable or is not able to function effectively. Political instability can lead to violence, crime, and economic instability.
Foreign intervention is the involvement of a foreign country in the internal affairs of another country. Foreign intervention can take many forms, such as military intervention, economic sanctions, and political pressure. Foreign intervention can destabilize a country and lead to conflict.
All of these challenges can have a significant impact on internal security. It is important to be aware of these challenges and to take steps to mitigate them in order to maintain a safe and secure society.
What are the challenges to internal security?
Internal security is the protection of a country’s citizens and institutions from threats within its borders. Challenges to internal security can come from a variety of sources, including:
- Terrorism: Terrorist attacks are designed to cause fear and panic, and can have a significant impact on a country’s economy and social fabric.
- Insurgencies: Insurgencies are armed conflicts that are carried out by non-state actors against a government. They can be very difficult to defeat, and can often lead to long-term instability.
- Organized crime: Organized crime groups are involved in a variety of illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. They can pose a significant threat to public safety and order.
- Natural disasters: Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, can cause widespread damage and loss of life. They can also lead to secondary problems, such as disease outbreaks and social unrest.
What are the state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security?
State actors are those that are officially recognized by the international community, such as governments and militaries. Non-state actors are those that are not officially recognized, such as terrorist groups and criminal organizations.
State actors can pose a threat to internal security in a number of ways. For example, they may use excessive force against their own citizens, or they may engage in Human Rights abuses. They may also support or sponsor terrorist groups or other non-state actors that are engaged in violence.
Non-state actors can also pose a threat to internal security. For example, they may engage in terrorism, organized crime, or other forms of violence. They may also destabilize governments or undermine the rule of law.
What are the effects of these challenges on the Polity?
The effects of challenges to internal security on the polity can be significant. For example, they can lead to:
- A decline in public trust in government: When people feel that their government is unable to protect them from threats, they may lose trust in the government and its institutions.
- Social unrest: Challenges to internal security can lead to social unrest, as people become frustrated with the government’s inability to address the problem.
- Economic instability: Challenges to internal security can also lead to economic instability, as businesses may be reluctant to invest in areas where there is a high risk of violence or instability.
- Political instability: In some cases, challenges to internal security can even lead to political instability, as governments may be unable to cope with the threat and may be forced to step down.
What are the solutions to these challenges?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges of internal security. However, some possible solutions include:
- Strengthening the rule of law: One of the most important ways to address challenges to internal security is to strengthen the rule of law. This means ensuring that the government is accountable to the people and that the law is applied fairly and consistently.
- Investing in security: Governments need to invest in security forces that are capable of protecting the population from threats. This includes providing them with adequate training and equipment.
- Addressing root causes: In some cases, the challenges of internal security can be traced to underlying problems, such as poverty, inequality, or lack of opportunity. Addressing these root causes can help to reduce the risk of violence and instability.
- Building partnerships: Governments can also build partnerships with other actors, such as civil society organizations, to address the challenges of internal security. These partnerships can help to share information and resources, and to develop and implement effective solutions.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a state actor?
(A) The government
(B) The military
(C) The police
(D) A terrorist organization
Answer
(D) A terrorist organization is a non-state actor.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a non-state actor?
(A) A corporation
(B) A non-governmental organization
(C) A religious group
(D) The government
Answer
(D) The government is a state actor.
Question 3
Which of the following is a challenge to internal security that can be posed by state actors?
(A) Corruption
(B) Human rights abuses
(C) Economic mismanagement
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above can be challenges to internal security that can be posed by state actors.
Question 4
Which of the following is a challenge to internal security that can be posed by non-state actors?
(A) Terrorism
(B) Insurgencies
(C) Organized crime
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above can be challenges to internal security that can be posed by non-state actors.
Question 5
Which of the following is a way to mitigate the challenges to internal security posed by state actors?
(A) Strengthening democratic institutions
(B) Promoting Good Governance
(C) Protecting human rights
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are ways to mitigate the challenges to internal security posed by state actors.
Question 6
Which of the following is a way to mitigate the challenges to internal security posed by non-state actors?
(A) Strengthening law enforcement
(B) Building intelligence capabilities
(C) Cooperating with international partners
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are ways to mitigate the challenges to internal security posed by non-state actors.