Hamas attack on Israel shows why India needs to reassess its internal security mechanism

The current conflict in Gaza has challenged the idea of a modern world governed by established rules of engagement. The sheer horror unleashed upon Israel is shocking in its scale, with captured Hamas terrorists admitting on camera their intent to rape captured Israeli women and children, be they soldiers or civilians. Deeply disturbing acts such as the deliberate killing of infants and foreign civilians have been recorded on camera. The savagery Israel faces has raised serious questions about national security, which will need to be addressed as Israeli operations continue. Israel found swift support in India, a country that supports the Palestinian cause and nationhood in its policy, and which is one of the largest donors of aid to the region. However, both Israel and India have experienced the challenges posed by radical extremist religious ideologies, as well as a global network of far-left ideologies that provide intellectual cover for acts of terrorism in both nations. As Israel takes military action in Gaza, India, with its vast and diverse population, also looks within. A nation’s internal security apparatus play a crucial role in addressing domestic challenges that could potentially compromise national security. The Israel-Hamas conflict, despite its geographical distance from the Indian subcontinent, holds significant implications for India. Indian intelligence agencies have been successful in identifying significant threats to national security in recent times, encompassing issues related to Khalistani violence and secessionism, as well as Islamist extremism, including organisations like the now-banned PFI. Additionally, concerns regarding Chinese money laundering have come to the forefront. These security challenges appear to manifest like a multi-headed hydra, with new threats emerging on a regular basis. The larger geographical area of the Indian nation prevents an absolute state of urgency in much of the population even in times of war, which Israel, being a much smaller nation, cannot afford. The prevailing state of threat, however, underscores the importance of the Indian security apparatus, even though many citizens may not be fully aware of the extent to which it safeguards them. The country has encountered various instances of domestic security challenges that have resulted in security breaches of varying magnitudes. Some of these have involved law enforcement officers stationed in border regions who have been apprehended for collaborating with external entities. Notably, DSP Sheikh Adil Mushtaq of Srinagar police was recently arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to assist a terrorist in one of India’s most sensitive border areas. In January 2021, Davinder Singh of J&K Police was arrested and chargesheeted for allegedly transporting Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Jammu to Kashmir and maintaining contact with Pakistani handlers associated with the Pakistani High Commission. Apart from law enforcement officers, the scientific community has been disrupted by actions attributed to certain hostile foreign entities through a series of attempts to compromise senior scientists. For instance, Pradeep Kurulkar, a senior scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was apprehended by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on charges of treason. Apart from Kurulkar, another senior technical officer at the DRDO, Baburam Dey, was also arrested, and a contractual employee Dukka Mallikarjuna Reddy was also found to be supplying sensitive information to Pakistan. In recent years, cases involving employees of organisations such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Deepak Shirsat in 2020, and Nishant Aggarwal, employed by BrahMos Aerospace in 2018, have come to light as well. Furthermore, several military personnel have been successfully targeted. Apart from “honey traps”, the central government has identified media organisations that have allegedly been involved in promoting Chinese propaganda and engaging in financial irregularities. While law enforcement continues to uncover explosives and illicit funds, there has been a notable decrease in terrorist violence in this decade, accompanied by a significant rise in attempted acts of terrorism. The efforts of security forces operating under various constraints often go unappreciated. India finds itself situated between two neighbouring nations with experienced strategies for exploiting weaknesses in its internal security framework. Given India’s enormous population of 1.4 billion people with varying allegiances, ensuring an all-encompassing intelligence apparatus presents significant challenges. The numerous internal security incidents, like those mentioned, emphasise the importance of an effective intelligence system for detecting such threats. However, they also highlight the vulnerabilities within the system and the need for sustained vigilance. A critical aspect that deserves attention is the tendency to suspend or backtrack on security-enhancing reforms such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in response to law and order concerns. The complex interplay between economic growth and security measures can significantly impact the nation’s development. Similarly, labour reforms have been held in abeyance and agricultural reforms have been reversed due to violent protests that were left unaddressed by the law and order machinery until after they were over. The government has failed to uphold its monopoly on legitimate force, which would have required curbing protest violence through proactive and effective management. Doing so is crucial to address legitimate concerns while ensuring law and order, fostering national stability and prosperity. In addition to the law of the streets overruling those decided by an elected parliament, the Indian quest for security is also marred by inefficiencies within the judicial system. The judiciary’s inability to swiftly address matters related to crime and national security erodes faith in the system and generates a preference for expedient but often arbitrary methods of justice. The common citizen, grappling with the frustration of a sluggish judiciary, often cheers on summary justice, whether in the form of police encounters or the demolition of structures, viewing these actions as their only hope for justice. In the absence of transparency in the functioning of the judiciary and consistency in legal judgments, India’s internal security framework relies on a set of opaque laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which shares similarities with Israel’s Anti-Terror Law. While the necessity of such laws in the face of potential threats is evident, there is a need to prioritise the development of clearer laws and judicial processes. The recent terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel presents a complex web of challenges with implications for both India’s domestic and international security. Incidents such as drone deliveries of narcotics and weapons from Pakistan have increased due to advancements in technology that enables this. To effectively address these challenges without compromising individual freedoms, it is imperative to establish a robust and transparent legal framework, alongside technology that allows for insight without overbearing breaches of privacy. The ongoing conflict also exposes a peculiar aspect of Indian society: a tendency to forget past traumatic events. India’s history has seen numerous instances of religious and communal discord, yet the nation often chooses to overlook these memories to assert an amnesia-based concept of brotherhood. This aspiration, driven by a desire for imposed inclusivity and for recognition in certain segments of the western media, results in the tolerance of individuals or groups who endorse extremist ideologies. While India’s commitment to maintaining law and order is commendable, it must also focus on reforming the judicial and legal systems to ensure that justice is both swift and fair. India must continually reassess its internal security apparatus and adapt to evolving threats, all while upholding the core principles of democracy, rule of law, and individual rights. Striking this delicate balance is essential to safeguarding the safety and well-being of its citizens while maintaining a vibrant and strong democracy. Deepak Srinivasan is an accomplished data engineer and public markets investor with a deep understanding of the financial, IT, and energy sectors. He tweets @DeepakInsights. Sagorika Sinha is a columnist and podcaster with Masters in Biotechnology from the University of Bath. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_’s views._  Read all the  Latest News,  Trending News,  Cricket News,  Bollywood News, India News and  Entertainment News here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.