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SEMINAR ON "DESIRABILITY OF THE ROLE OF ARMED FORCES IN DOMESTIC ARENA" IN KHALSA COLLEGE AMRITSAR

A Seminar on "Desirability of the Role of Armed Forces in Domestic Arena" was held in Khalsa College, Amritsar. Major General Virendera Kumar, GOC, 15 Infantry Division was the Chief Guest in the Seminar. While delivering his presidential address he observed that now-a-days countries are encouraging terrorism and insurgency in other countries as an instrument of proxy war. In this situation the deployment of Armed Forces become a necessity for the security of the nation and their constitutional provisions and guiding rules for the Armed Forces to keep constraint in such operations. He also emphasized that if India a major power today that is because its democratic set up and the democracy of the country is further provided satiability by its strong Armed Forces. Therefore, the role of Armed Forces is highly appreciable in the strengthening of the nation.

Principal Dr. Daljit Singh while welcoming the distinguished Guests and Worthy Speakers give a brief statement about the topic of the Seminar. While sharing his views over the legal and constitutional provisions in the country regarding the Armed Forces and their operation he observed that the training of Armed Forces is such that they are prepared to tackle the enemy across the border and not to operate within civilian population. But to tackle the menace of terrorism and other organized crimes the need to deploy the Armed Forces in Domestic Arena cannot be avoided. Keeping this in view the training of Armed Personal should be modified. He also lauded the role of Armed Force in disaster Management in case of Natural Calamities.  

 Dr. K.S. Sidhu, Former Professor of Department of Defense Studies, Punjabi University, presented his paper over the prospects and challenges of internal security. He was of the view that the deployment of Armed Forces in internal security matters, considering it as a mere law and order problem is a myopic vision. The phenomena like terrorism cannot be tackled untill and unless the socio-economic disparities are not addressed. So the matter of security should be viewed in a holistic term.

 Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Head, Department of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University while speaking on, "Use of Armed Forces for Domestic purpose: Global Trends", observed that the role of army in any country is based on the role of the state. Therefore the policies of state decides the direction and intensity of the role of Armed Forces. Dr. Umrao Singh of Punjabi University emphasized that role of Armed Forces in domestic arena is to assist the civil administration and not to command it. He further said that frequent deployment of Armed Forces may adversely affect its power of deterrence.    

 Honorary Secretary of Khalsa College Governing Council, S. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina while lauding the views of the Speakers expressed his worry that the youth today are not motivated to join the armed forces. He also expressed his concern over the restricted quota of the Punjabi Youth in Armed Forces. He stressed that this quota should be increased so that the unemployed Punjabi Youth pick up the arms in the defense of the nation and do not join terrorist forces against the nation.

Prof. Mrs. Jaspreet Kaur, Head, Department of Political Science presented a vote of thanks and Prof. Devender Singh conducted the stage. Prof. Ranjit Singh, Prof. Surjit Singh, Prof. Gurvel Singh Malhi and Prof. Ranpreet Singh also participated in the discussions during the Seminar.

Principal