OPINION: Regional politics and India's internal security threats

Internal security threats posed by separatist and secessionist tendencies, fueled by politically and communally motivated vested interests, are a significant concern for India's integrity. The enhanced and emphatic role and the assertive participation of regional political parties in Indian political landscape are seen to causing cracks and throwing up serious security threats to the otherwise strong edifice of the constitutional democracy of our country.

The strength of regional parties, holding rein of states, with sole regional interests, and absence of national vision and perpetually in discord with central govt, are as under, based on latest elections.

Punjab:

State Assembly: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 92 seats out of 117 (79%).

Parliament: AAP won 12 seats out of 13 (92%).

West Bengal:

State Assembly: Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 213 seats out of 294 (73%).

Parliament: TMC won 23 seats out of 42 (55%).

Tamil Nadu:

State Assembly: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won 133 seats out of 234 (57%).

Parliament: DMK won 24 seats out of 39 (62%).

North Eastern States:

Assam: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 63 seats out of 126 (50%) in the state assembly and 9 seats out of 14 (64%) in parliament.

Meghalaya: National People's Party (NPP) won 26 seats out of 60 (43%) in the state assembly and 2 seats out of 2 (100%) in parliament.

Arunachal Pradesh: BJP won 48 seats out of 60 (80%) in the state assembly and 2 seats out of 2 (100%) in parliament.

Nagaland: Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) won 20 seats out of 60 (33%) in the state assembly and 1 seat out of 1 (100%) in parliament.

Manipur: BJP won 32 seats out of 60 (53%) in the state assembly and 2 seats out of 2 (100%) in parliament.

Mizoram: Mizo National Front (MNF) won 26 seats out of 40 (65%) in the state assembly and 1 seat out of 1 (100%) in parliament.

Sikkim: Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won 17 seats out of 32 (53%) in the state assembly and 1 seat out of 1 (100%) in parliament.

Tripura: BJP won 33 seats out of 60 (55%) in the state assembly and 2 seats out of 2 (100%) in parliament.

The unending political dissension and strife between the national party at Centre and the regional parties on subjects of national importance signals some serious national security issues.

These threats immediately include:

1. Kashmir separatism

2. Khalistan movement in Punjab

3. Naxalism and Maoism in central and eastern India

4. Northeastern insurgencies

5. Tamil nationalism in Tamil Nadu

The growing strength of regional political parties with separatist and secessionist tendencies poses significant national security threats, including:

1. Fragmentation of India: Regional parties may demand greater autonomy or independence, leading to the breakup of the country. Regional indoctrination is slowly taking place, may be silently now.

2. Internal conflict: Separatist movements may resort to violence, terrorism, and insurgency, destabilizing the region and threatening national security. Eg Maoist movement.

3. External Interference: Regional parties may seek support from foreign powers, compromising India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Eg Kashmir, Punjab, West Bangal and NE region.

4. Weakening of national institutions: Regional parties may challenge the authority of central institutions, undermining the country's unity and stability. Eg. West Bengal and Kerala where the CBI has been prevented by resolution.

5. Rise of extremism: Separatist movements may fuel extremism, radicalization, and terrorism, threatening national security. Eg Punjab, Kashmir

6. Border security risks: Regional parties in border states may compromise border security, allowing cross-border terrorism and infiltration. Eg Wet Bengal, Assam, Manipur and Uttarakand

7. Economic instability: Separatist movements may disrupt economic activity, impacting national economic security and development. Eg Forced withdrawal of farmers law, aborting the nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu.

8. Social unrest: Regional parties may exploit social and communal tensions, leading to social unrest, violence, and instability. Eg Delhi and Bangalore riots

9. Challenge to national integration: Regional parties may undermine national integration, promoting regional identities over national identity. Eg Reaction of regional opposition parties on abrogation of article 370.

10. Threat to democracy: Extremist regional parties may undermine democratic values, institutions, and processes, threatening India's democratic fabric. Eg Assessment politics typically of Tamil Nadu and UP.

Other similar tendencies by regional parties include the West Bengal CM’s defiant stance against the federal authority such as sitting on dharna to prevent the DG being arrested by CBI, her proclamation not to implement CCA and NRC at any cost, similar stands by the Tamil Nadu CM in passing resolution in assembly against CAA, resistance to accept Hindi as official language, blocking the establishment of nuclear power project, outright refusal to comply with the Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu, and the ongoing anti-central government activities in Kashmir and NE states and even in Kerala where a resolution was passed against the Governor being the Chancellor of universities and opposing stand against entry of CBI in the state. The political exclusivsm of Punjab is a harsh reality on separatist tendencies.

In all these states, the regional parties have militant, radical and separatist tendencies besides serious disregard to the institutions that holds the nation together...! There are several examples where the states reined by regional parties have blatantly disregarded the authorities of central government.

It is necessary that the regional political parties and their impact on national security issues are contained by promulgation of suitable laws seeking compliance to the legally qualified dictates of the central government. It is to be considered if it can be made a law that the state should be ruled only in coalition with a national political party. Can it not be that national political parties are made to legally commit their political mission, vision, and policies which may be approved by a high powered body consisting of a five judges Supreme Court with the chief justice and three chief election commissioners. Regional political parties also should make suitable predetermined political objectives and policies before getting the approval as a political party. It might look a dystopian idea, but a nation should decide if NATION is important or its NATIONAL. Freedom and rights should complement to the strength of overall wellness and safety of the nation.

The government may also address these threats by:

1. Strengthening national institutions by bringing in stringent laws or constitutional provisions, making them accountable and autonomous.

2. Promoting inclusive development by making central and state govt as equal stake holders in all developmental projects.

3. Encouraging dialogue and conflict resolution with strict implementation of legally arrived course of action.

4. Enhancing border security

5. Countering extremism and terrorism with iron hand.

6. Fostering national integration by encouraging human resource mobility.

7. Ensuring economic stability by relooking at the present policy implementation processes.

8. Addressing social and communal tensions at all costs, even if it requires amending Constitutional provisions.

9. Upholding democratic values by stressing on the responsibilities rather than rights.

10. Maintaining a strong and effective defence services.

11. Revisiting the subjects like education in the concurrent list of the Constitution.

I hold the view that the nation should prefer on nation building and national growth. Hardline political atmosphere over national interest will cause irreparable damage to the country. The writing on the wall gives concerns of disintegration and lawlessness.

T. Chandrasekhar is a former IG, CRPF

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.