President Droupadi Murmu’s assertion that citizens must not remain passive observers but become active partners in safeguarding national security is both timely and profound. In an era where security threats are increasingly complex, decentralised and technologically driven, the concept of Jan Bhagidari-people’s participation-emerges as a cornerstone of people-centric national security. India’s security architecture is robust. The Army, BSF, CRPF, intelligence agencies and local police forces stand guard against external aggression, terrorism, insurgency and internal disorder. Yet, it is unrealistic to assume that borders can be rendered impregnable or that security personnel can be deployed at every nook and corner of a vast and diverse country. The multiplicity of challenges confronting security agencies today-terrorism, arms smuggling, narcotics trafficking, drone intrusions, radicalisation networks and cyber fraud-makes sustained focus on each front an enormous task.
This is where the role of citizens becomes indispensable. For any nation, people living in border and remote areas constitute the first line of defence. Locals are intimately familiar with their surroundings, terrain, social dynamics and patterns of daily life. An outsider, suspicious movement or unusual activity is immediately noticed. Smuggling of weapons, narcotics or currency, covert radicalisation efforts or anti-national activities rarely remain hidden from local populations. Intelligence agencies across the world acknowledge that human intelligence, especially local inputs, is the most effective early-warning system. Historically, however, the flow of such intelligence was constrained by poor connectivity. In earlier decades, conveying information to the police from remote or inaccessible regions was a herculean task. Many border villages lacked road connectivity, communication infrastructure and even basic transport facilities. Security forces often reached the site of a terror incident hours later-or, in extreme cases, the next day-due to difficult terrain.
The digital revolution has transformed this reality. Mobile phones have collapsed distance and time barriers. Today, a two-line message, a 20-second phone call, or a photograph captured by a mobile camera can instantly alert authorities. No incident escapes the lens of a mobile device. This technological empowerment of citizens has fundamentally altered the nature of national security, making it participatory rather than purely institutional. President Murmu is, therefore, absolutely right in urging citizens to become the “eyes and ears” of security forces. In the digital era, one timely piece of information can avert a major tragedy.
Equally significant is the role of citizens in countering radicalisation and misinformation. Social media carries the potential for both creation and destruction. While hostile elements exploit digital platforms to spread propaganda, hate and false narratives, informed and vigilant citizens can counter these efforts through awareness campaigns, fact-based communication and timely reporting. Harmful misinformation can be verified and debunked in real time-provided communities remain alert and proactive.
The success achieved in curbing left-wing extremism offers a compelling example of Jan Bhagidari in action. From 126 Naxal-affected districts in 2014 to just 11 today, with only three categorised as most affected, the decline is not solely the result of force deployment. It reflects improved intelligence, community engagement, trust-building and public cooperation. Similarly, in terrorism-affected regions, actionable local intelligence has repeatedly enabled security forces to neutralise militants, disrupt sleeper cells and prevent attacks. Technology may provide tools, but without people’s participation, its impact remains limited. Intelligence-accurate, timely and localised-is the key to pre-emption.
National security today also encompasses digital safety. Cyber frauds, phishing scams and online financial crimes erode public trust and economic stability. Awareness generated through social media and community networks has played a crucial role in reducing vulnerability. Safeguarding citizens from digital fraud is as much a security imperative as guarding borders.
There is little doubt that citizens are the extended arms of the security apparatus. However, this partnership rests on trust. The foremost expectation of the public from police and security agencies is the protection of informers’ identities. The onus of building and sustaining this trust lies squarely with law enforcement agencies. As India navigates geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions and non-traditional security threats, Jan Bhagidari will determine the resilience of the nation. A vigilant citizenry, empowered by technology and guided by trust, is the strongest shield a nation can possess.
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