- One of the most dreaded aspects of running the governance for any administration is the ugly raising of heads of extremist elements who are hell-bent on not only creating division in society and its tranquility but also fomenting trouble for the harmonious living among the citizens. As we know, India is a nation of diverse identities interspersed with different ethnicity, religions, and linguistics that changes along the wide swathe of our land. India is not new to various extremist elements demanding separate regions based on ethnicity and linguistics over the last several decades. However, the Indian Constitution framers were farsighted and possessed adequate wisdom to foresee such demands and hence, created a federal structure to counter the same.
PC: Freepik
- Despite Indian democracy functioning appreciatively as enunciated in the Constitution, demands emanating from different quarters for a separate state and autonomy is not an uncommon phenomenon. We are aware of how some Northeastern states were in the grip of separatist demands but are effectively neutralised in the nick of time. The country also witnessed how the extremist elements were demanding a Khalistani state in Punjab a few decades back which again was successfully handled. Unfortunately, Punjab is reeling again with the same separatist/extremist elements in a new avatar demanding a Khalistani state. This is an extremely bad security situation for the administration and must be handled with no less than an iron hand.
- As reported, the operation to catch Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh, who security agencies now reveal has links with both Pakistan’s ISI and the Islamic State, has also meant an internet ban for all of the state. He has been invested in by actors out to harm society’s fabric, and India’s peace, finding a home in continuing grievances in some sections of Sikhs. The Khalistan issue has cropped up for a while, yet our surveillance and intelligence were caught unawares by Amritpal’s show of strength. The Sikh community has also long made public its vexation over the slow progress on the 2015 sacrilege cases, the trial of the main accused Dera Sacha Sauda Chief, and his followers is yet to start. And the accused is frequently out on parole to boot.
PC: Freepik
- Mind you, Punjab and India can ill afford an episode of state vs far-right militancy. The issue at hand is not handled properly by the state police is obvious. To ban the internet for simply a police chase, over fears of the spread of fake news, cannot help catch Amritpal but can cripple life – the bulk of economic activity is via UPIs nowadays. A ban also stops real information, spreads anxiety, and alienates the public. To counter fake news on social media, the state must work with and if necessary come down on Big Tech. We know the Union Government often demands content takedowns. Remember, political parties and police allowing extremist religious outfits unfettered public outreach online and offline is plain dangerous. Needless to mention, effectively maintaining law and order should not be chasing a chimera. The situation demands swift action on the ground.
