What did Sarsanghachalak say on National and Internal Security in his Vijayadashami Speech?

We have assembled here to celebrate the auspicious occasion of this year’s Vijayadashami. This year is the 550th Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. When our entire society, forgetting the truth inherited from the ancient traditions and the natural self of Bharat, was getting fragmented by repeated thrashing of the brutal atrocities perpetrated by the foreign invaders from across the border, Shri Guru Nanak Deo ji showed a new path of self-enlightenment, gave the society a new life of oneness. It is his legacy that gave the country a magnificent and majestic tradition of 10 gurus who removed our state of penury and inferiority.

Mahatma Gandhi, whose 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated, provided the political foundation of truth and non-violence to the Independence movement of the country. All such efforts inspired the common man of the country to come out of his home and stand firmly with a moral force against the British oppression.

The remembrance of martyrdom, sacrifice and dedication of hundreds of our unarmed countrymen, who were encircled from all sides and became victims of General Dyer’s bullets, in the Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar, invokes the same moral force in us.

It is imperative to mention these relevant reminiscences this year because although our country has achieved a significant level of progress in many sectors during 71 years of Independence, we have yet to move forward in many other dimensions of progress in our all-encompassing national life.

Fruitful efforts have been undertaken to entwine the web of international relations by appraising the nations with our security concerns and getting their backing and cooperation. The military, government and administration have displayed their clear intent to maintain peaceful and cordial relations with all the countries including the neighbouring ones in words and deeds, at the same time standing and acting firm and making prudent use of our capabilities while initiating bold actions wherever necessary in the context of national security.

In this regard efforts are being initiated and accelerated to enhance the morale of our armed and security forces, making them well-equipped and providing them with the latest technologies. Along with this, it is essential to be more attentive in enhancing the basic amenities of armed and security forces and their families.

After the change of guard in the country across our Western borders, any decline in its overt and covert provocative activities especially in the states like Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab neither has happened nor was expected.

Given the dynamic international developments, safeguarding of our maritime borders has also assumed greater significance. There are hundreds of islands at various distances in the coastal area of Bharat adjacent to the mainland. From the security point of view, their maintenance and strengthening of the facilities there has to be attended and implemented as a matter of urgency.

Our brethren habituating along the land and sea borders are firmly holding the ground with determination despite facing several challenges peculiar to the border areas. If their wellbeing is taken care of, these locals in the bordering areas can also be of great assistance in tackling problems like infiltration, smuggling etc. Both the government and society need to take more efforts so that relief, education, healthcare facilities and employment opportunities reach them in time and they are imbued with patriotism, valour and virtues.

The Union, as well as the State governments and administrations, should sternly deal with the violent activities of elements, motivated or moved from inside as well as outside the borders, who challenge the law, Constitution and sovereignty of the country.

It is a matter of the fact that such elements who take part in violent and illegal activities come from our society. At the root of this is ignorance, the dearth of development and amenities, unemployment, injustice, exploitation, discrimination and absence of sensitivity and sanity of our society essential in an independent nation. The Government and administration do have a role to play in alleviating this. But a greater responsibility lies with the society. An atmosphere of warmth and goodwill needs to be propagated by eliminating all such discrepancies within society and embracing these brethren of our society with dignity and affection.

It is felt that Central and State governments have to be more transparent and should exhibit greater efficiency and sensitivity ineffective and timely implementation of several plans, sub plans and various provisions made for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The National Police Commission has also made recommendations for reforms in their systems. It is necessary to ponder over these recommendations pending for several years and make efforts towards such reforms.