MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. The phenomenon of terrorism poses a significant threat to the integrity of a nation’s security. What are the several origins of funding for acts of terror, and what strategies may be proposed to mitigate the occurrence of terrorism?
GS IV – Internal Security
Introduction:
- Terrorism is defined as the utilisation of unlawful acts of violence to instill a pervasive sense of fear or terror within a population, typically with the objective of attaining political or religious goals. Terrorist financing encompasses the act of actively seeking, gathering, or supplying financial resources with the explicit purpose of facilitating the execution of terrorist activities or bolstering terrorist entities.
The sources of terror financing refer to the many channels through which funds are acquired and utilised to support terrorist activities:
- The phenomenon of state funding of terrorism refers to the reliance of terrorist groups on financial support provided by governments. While the prevalence of this particular type of terrorism has decreased during the 1990s, it is noteworthy that entities like Hezbollah and Hamas continue to rely significantly on backing from state actors.
- The relationship between transnational crime and terrorist organisations is characterised by a mutually beneficial and interdependent dynamic. Terrorist engagement in illicit enterprises encompasses a range of criminal endeavours, including but not limited to drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraudulent activities, robbery, extortion, smuggling, oil theft, and money laundering.
- The phenomenon of cybernetic funding has witnessed a growing trend wherein terrorists are progressively engaging in illicit cyber activities, including but not limited to identity theft and credit card fraud, as a means to generate financial resources. Another fast rising element of cyber funding pertains to the online cleaning and movement of money through money transfer and new technology payment methods. This growth can be attributed to the increasing availability of online services offered by banks and other financial organisations to their consumers.
- Money laundering refers to the systematic procedure employed to conceal the illicit origins of funds obtained through criminal activities, with the aim of rendering them appear legitimate and facilitating their future utilisation. The aforementioned entity serves as a two-dimensional medium for terrorist organisations. Furthermore, it serves as a means to generate funds and facilitate their transfer.
- The utilisation of virtual currencies, such as bitcoins, has garnered interest from terrorists due to their ability to enable anonymous financial transactions.
Strategies to mitigate acts of terrorism:
- The establishment of a cyber defence mechanism entails the implementation of cyber search operations and the adoption of various countermeasures to effectively address and mitigate cyber-attacks.
- One strategy to mitigate the diversion of funds through illicit means involves combating the presence of anonymity within financial networks. Moreover, it is imperative to impose limitations on the utilisation of funds obtained from various criminal acts for the purpose of supporting terrorist endeavours. This includes curtailing the utilisation of illicit channels, cash couriers, and hawala systems by terrorist networks.
- The implementation of measures to mitigate the potential misuse of emerging financial technology, such as virtual assets including cryptocurrencies and digital wallets, in the context of terrorist activity.
- The imperative of consistently enhancing capability for counter-terrorism endeavours and fostering collaboration among financial intelligence agencies across nations.
- The mitigation of young exposure to terrorism can be achieved by the implementation of measures aimed at curbing the dissemination of terror ideology via Non-Profit organisations (NPOs) and social media platforms. Additionally, it is imperative to implement initiatives aimed at addressing challenges related to livelihood and unemployment as a means to discourage the youth from engaging in radicalization.
- The timely and effective exchange of intelligence between nations plays a crucial role in the prevention and mitigation of terrorist attacks.
- Furthermore, it is imperative to acknowledge and adopt a universally accepted definition of terrorism, while implementing international sanctions against countries involved in supporting acts of terrorism at the state level.
- India has demonstrated an active engagement in combating terrorism by implementing many strategies, including the adoption of the comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), the enactment of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act 2019, and the establishment of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID). The issue of terrorism is multifaceted and ever-evolving, thereby underscoring the crucial significance of international collaboration in addressing and mitigating acts of terrorism.
Q2. Subhas Chandra Bose, a prominent figure in India’s struggle for independence, had a vibrant persona that served as a source of inspiration for numerous Indians, compelling them to actively participate in the movement. In light of this, it is vital to delve into the contributions made by Subhas Chandra Bose towards India’s pursuit of freedom. Analyse.
GS I – Modern Indian History
Introduction:
- Subhas Chandra Bose is widely regarded as a highly significant figure in the context of the Indian independence movement. He is attributed with the establishment of the Indian National Army with the objective of combating the British and achieving India’s liberation. He remains a representation of strong nationalism.
The contributions made by Subhas Chandra Bose to India’s struggle for independence:
- Political leadership: The individual in question held a significant position within the political landscape of India.
- He became a participant of the Non-Cooperation Movement and received guidance from Mahatma Gandhi to collaborate with Chittaranjan Das, who thereafter assumed the role of his political mentor.
- He assumed the position of President of the All-India Youth Congress and concurrently held the role of Secretary of the Bengal State Congress. He significantly contributed to the intellectual development of students, young individuals, and workers residing in Calcutta.
- In the year 1938, he was democratically chosen as the president of the Indian National Congress. Subsequently, he established a national planning committee, tasked with the formulation of a comprehensive programme aimed at fostering widespread industrialization.
- In 1939, he established the “All-India Forward Bloc” as a faction within the Indian National Congress with the objective of consolidating the various radical forces within the party.
- Mass mobilisation: He had a significant role in galvanising the sentiment of autonomy among the general populace. Bose made a direct appeal for the complete mobilisation of the masses with the establishment of the provincial administration of Azad Hind.
- Collaboration with foreign nations: Subsequent to the onset of the Second World War, Bose diligently endeavoured to establish alliances with Japan and Germany in order to garner their backing for the cause of India’s self-governance.
- In 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose, with the support of the Japanese, undertook the reorganisation of the Indian National Army (INA), which was commonly referred to as the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’. The group’s composition consisted of Indian prisoners of war and plantation workers hailing from various regions of Southeast Asia.
- The individual established the Azad Hind Government while in exile, receiving assistance from the Japanese military, political, and financial sectors.
- The mobilisation of women was actively promoted by him, as he advocated for the significant involvement of Indian women in the pursuit of India’s independence. A regiment exclusively composed of women, known as the Azad Hind Fauj, was established and placed under the leadership of Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan.
- The regiment was referred to as the Rani Jhansi regiment.
- Subhas Chandra Bose significantly contributed to the liberation of the country from the 200-year-long British colonial control, employing his distinctive approach, akin to other prominent figures of the time, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
