“It is the civil society that can be subverted… that can be divided, that can be manipulated to hurt the interest of a nation.” These words have not come from any right-wing activist or saffron politician. This ‘dangerous doctrine’ has come from none else but the all-powerful National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. There is nothing more absurd than this far-fetched belief that the civil society of this largest democracy in the world is susceptible and vulnerable to external and internal forces. It is even more serious that this bizarre belief is held by a top policy-maker of the country. And for sure, Doval, speaking at an official function like the passing out parade at the National Police Academy, is not expressing his personal view; it is apparently the government’s view, and an unsubstantiated one.  

Doval, who is occupying one of the core positions in the government, goes on to say that a new frontier of war is opened by the civil society. It is unthinkable that the NSA could stoop to the level of local politicians who are adept at making uncorroborated allegations. His construction that wars have become too expensive and their places have been taken over by the civil society seems to have originated from the government’s antagonism to the pro-people activities being undertaken by it. He seems to say that civil society, which is a community of citizens with common interests, is against people’s interests and is playing into the hands of external forces inimical to the country. 

It is not the first time such a view has been expressed in the public by those at the helm of affairs in the government. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself poured scorn on human rights groups for their ‘selective’ approach to problems and charged them with viewing issues through ‘political lens’. The view of the Prime Minister and the NSA is in tune with the Sangh Parivar which looks at civil society, human rights activists, academicians, intelligentsia, university students and media with disdain. Their allergy to these groups has intensified with anti-CAA protests, farmers’ agitation, custodial death of tribal activist Fr. Stan Swamy, and arrests of several human rights activists portraying them as Maoists or urban naxals. Anyone who opposes the Hindutva version of nationalism and expresses an opinion which is not in tandem with the official version is branded anti-national.  

The NSA’s abrasive assertion could be prompted by the flak India has been receiving from other countries and international bodies for its appalling handling of human rights and aggressive action against NGOs. After the BJP-led government came to power, axe has fallen on several NGOs which are doing commendable work in social service and human rights sectors. The Modi government should not forget that its genesis has its roots in the civil society movement called India Against Corruption. Many stalwarts of the present government were ardent supporters of Anna Hazare movement. Civil society activists are the conscience keepers of any country. They are the amplifiers of people’s voices which often remain feeble or suppressed. Any effort to show them in poor light or rein in their activities will weaken democracy and lead to autocracy.