COALITION DHARMA HAS UNDERMINED RASHTRA DHARMA
IIPA ORGANIZES LECTURE ON SECURITY CHALLENGES BY PROF GOPALJI MALVIYA

The J&K Regional Branch of IIPA organized a lecture titled “Security Governance- challenges for the New Government” by Prof. Gopalji Malviya, noted security analyst and currently Dean School of National Security Studies at the Central University of Jammu.  

Prof. Malviya, who has 35 years of teaching and research experience, proposed two hypotheses- a need for a shift of security paradigm both at internal and external level and need for a stable government for robust security architecture. He quoted Kautalya’s Arthasastra to realize the severity of internal security challenges by saying that an arrow from outside would only harm a soldier but an arrow from within would hit the womb. He was of the view that the real enemies of the state are from within and the external actors are only the potential adversaries.

He opined that for last 26 years the ‘coalition dharma’ has undermined the ‘Rashtra Dharma’ in India. He further argued that if we ignore national interests for coalition political interests, then anarchy is imminent. He cited lack of consensus between Centre and the states on NCTC, neglect of costal security, poor infrastructure of police forces and inadequate coordination between intelligence agencies as some results of lack of focus on fighting terrorism and left wing extremism. He cited the pressure from Tamilnadu Government to prevent PM from attending CMHOG meet in Colombo as interference in matters relating to National security. Prof Malviya strongly advocated for improving civil-military relations and revisiting of the procurement processes and modernization of defence forces. He favoured appointment of Chief of Defence Staff.

Dr S. S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, cautioned that Pakistan may test the waters by some provocative action to see the reflexes and response of the new Government. Therefore, he advocated strict vigil during the transition phase. Other short term measures that he suggested included Comprehensive review of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and weighing the options covert operations as part of anti- terrorism strategy.

Dr Bloeria identified some medium term measures which included need to build political consensus on National Security issues, closing monitoring the situation in Afghanistan, revisiting Nuclear Doctrine of 2003 and enhancing coordination between various intelligence agencies for effective functioning.

Earlier Dr Ashok Bhan, former DGP and Chairman of the J&K Regional Branch of IIPA introduced the guest speaker and the subject to set the tone for a very lively discussion. Dr Bhan explained how proxy war that the country faces from across its borders has obliterated the distinction between external security and internal security necessitating cooperation between the Union Government and the states.

Dr Bhan added that National Security can’t be seen today purely from traditional military angle and even from the military view point there are new challenges of cyber security, nuclear security and indigenous development of armaments. On a wider canvas, he felt that elements like energy security, environmental security, economic growth, poverty alleviation, employment and skills development etc are all part of the National Security domain. Each one of them, he cautioned, if not attended to seriously, will make the country vulnerable.

JBS Johar, Hony Secretary, presented a vote of thanks and Dr. Anil Gupta conducted the proceedings of the seminar which was attended by officers of Army, CPMFs, Police, academia and members of the IIPA and civil society.