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Inaugural address
Some Dimensions of Internal Security
Mr. P.S. Ramamohan Rao
Governor of Tamil Nadu
His Excellency Mr. P.S. Ramamohan Rao, Governor of Tamil Nadu, delivered the inaugural speech on "Some Dimensions of Internal Security". In his address the Governor spoke about different strands of security - the external and the internal. He said that while defending the territorial borders of a nation is the foremost security concern, a nation must anticipate the events and developments in the world that might impact on its security.
The Governor made the following points relating to the different dimensions of the threat to internal security during his inaugural speech.
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Threats to security on account of external aggression in the
conventional sense have become remote, but low cost, low risk
strategies like cross-border terrorism have taken their place
and developed the quality of endurance.
-
Threats to security from within have become more serious and
indeed, more burdensome in terms of economic costs, human life
and long-term effects on the country's progress. These threats
do not get due attention and are given lesser weightage in the
present scheme of things.
-
Demographic changes through illegal migration: We already had
the experience of Bangladesh. Today, this threat cannot be
dismissed lightly in the northeastern region of the country. If
the problem of ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka does not find an
amicable solution, it has serious implications for Tamil Nadu.
-
It has been said that future wars may occur on the sharing of
waters. Inter-state water disputes are a real threat to peace
and order in the southern states and to free movement of goods
and services. Some years ago, Tamils in Bangalore became targets
of violence.
-
Absence within regions of a common and shared appreciation of
problems: For example, the naxalite violence in Andhra Pradesh.
The leaders are provided sanctuaries in other states, who in the
absence of violence in their own state, tend to be indifferent
and even non-cooperative. The case of forest brigand Veerappan
is another such example.
-
Uneven economic development leading to glaring disparities and a
laboured sense of injustice. The experience of the East European
countries and the former Soviet Union has its own lessons for
India - for example, the oppression of minorities in India and
the grievances of undeveloped States. The enduring grievance of
excessive central control on a number of levers of economic
progress is also causing dissatisfaction in many states which
can have security implications. Even where economic disparity
has been accentuated by the poor performance or incompetence of
a state Government, yet it becomes an argument of hostile
discrimination.
-
The debate on the shape and content of Indian federalism: while
states allege central domination, they are themselves reluctant
to devolve powers and responsibilities in favour of local
self-government passing the buck to the next higher tier.
Perhaps, a review of the lists of jurisdiction as between the
Centre, the States and the local institutions is overdue.
-
Lack of respect for pluralism and inclusiveness leading to
alienation of religious and linguistic minorities. This to a
large extent depends upon the conduct of such minorities also.
-
Narcotic trade, dumping of counterfeit currency, etc.
-
Absence of territorial or constituency limitations on mafias
operating in filmdom, narcotics, real estate and money disputes
point to ineffective and weak justice system.
-
Vote bank politics based on geographical distribution of
dominant castes, which the parliamentary form of Government
seems to encourage, are creating new forms of social alienation
and contradictions, leading to serious social tensions.
- Revolution of rising expectations has degenerated and turned into cries for basic needs of water, power and sanitation, even by those who can afford to pay for them.