Shatru Bodh – Knowing The Enemy: The Greater Threat Within

The pressing question now is this: As a nation, are we truly prepared—politically, legally, and socially—to identify and counter these internal threats before they undermine our national fabric

When a major English daily is caught peddling fake news amid a major military operation, then you begin to question who the adversary is.

In times of military standoffs or external conflict, our attention instinctively turns to the enemy across the border. In the current Bharat–Pakistan standoff, that enemy is clear and visible. But history and experience teach us that the most damaging threats often come not from outside, but from within.

Redefining ‘Shatru Bodh’

The concept of Shatru Bodh—or "knowing the enemy"—is deeply rooted in military training. In the business world, too, understanding competitors’ strategies, products, and market behaviour is considered crucial. In both domains, however, the focus remains predominantly on external threats. What is often overlooked is the internal adversary—the saboteur who hides in plain sight and uses national resources to harm the country's interests.

Thus, it is time we redefine Shatru Bodh to encompass internal enemies: those within our system, society, or even our neighbourhoods, who work to weaken the nation from the inside.

The Pahalgam attack to Operation Sindoor exposes internal enemies.

The recent Pahalgam terror attack, in which innocent Hindu tourists were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, led to the launch of Operation Sindoor, in which Bharat carried out precision targeting, using air assets, of terrorist training centres and camps within Pakistan and Pojk.

A Disturbing Trend: When domestic voices echo an adversary's narrative

In response to attacks, Pakistan intensified artillery shelling along the Line of Control and resorted to misinformation tactics—spreading fake news through retired military officials, state-owned and private media outlets, and social media influencers. Shockingly, even Pakistan’s Defence Minister falsely claimed in Parliament that multiple Indian fighter jets had been shot down.

While such disinformation is expected from an adversarial state, what is truly alarming is the extent to which certain media houses and political figures within Bharat appear to echo or amplify these narratives. When sections of our own polity and press begin to parrot the propaganda of a hostile neighbour, it raises serious concerns—not just about national security, but about the erosion of responsible discourse in our democracy.

This incident has exposed a deeper and more insidious challenge that Bharat must confront—the threat posed by those within our borders who sympathise with or enable hostile forces. Whether it's individuals with cross-border familial ties or segments of society that offer ideological or religious justification for our adversaries, the presence of internal enablers cannot be ignored. The pressing question now is this: As a nation, are we truly prepared—politically, legally, and socially—to identify and counter these internal threats before they undermine our national fabric?

The visible enemy vs. the invisible one

Pakistan, as an external adversary, is relatively easy to identify. Its military, intelligence networks, and propaganda are known entities. Internal enemies, however, are far more dangerous—they operate under the guise of citizens, intellectuals, politicians, influencers, or activists. Their actions often go unnoticed until the consequences become irreversible, making them a stealthier and more pervasive threat.

Who are Bharat's internal enemies?

Political Opportunists: Bharat’s political landscape has been plagued by leaders and parties that prioritised electoral gains over national integrity. Some manipulate public sentiment, appease specific communities for vote banks, or challenge national interests under the pretext of democratic discourse. Their rhetoric and policies occasionally align more closely with the enemy’s narrative than with the nation’s cause.

The case in point is when, Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai mocked the Rafale jet induction by displaying a toy plane with lemons and chillies, ridiculing a traditional ritual performed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Pakistan’s media exploited the gesture to question Bharat’s military credibility. In today’s hyperconnected world, political theatrics at home can easily become propaganda abroad—highlighting the need for greater responsibility in public discourse on national security matters.

If left unchecked, such forces—should they gain power—may negotiate with adversaries, pass detrimental legislation, or compromise territorial and economic sovereignty, as Bharat has witnessed since independence.

Media, celebrities & social influencers

Some media houses in the race to be “exclusive” with breaking news, cinema celebrities with an eye to expand their fan bases, especially from a particular community, and influencers are always hungry to make that extra dollar from views and subs have ended up being publicity tools of our adversary. A case in point is The Hindu English daily, which published Pakistani fake news during ongoing military operations. Ravish Kumar, influencer and former journalist, devoted an entire episode of his show to mocking the naming of Operation Sindoor and criticising other Indian media outlets—instead of using his journalistic experience to inform the public about the real-time situation on the ground. Such actions are aimed at undermining national morale and aiding enemy narratives. Social influencers and media, while powerful, has become a double-edged sword in the war of narratives.

Jihadi Sympathisers

Bharat has, unfortunately, become a breeding ground for extremist sympathies under the garb of religious freedom. These elements have turned every administrative or legal decision into a religious conflict, fanning communal flames and causing societal unrest. Their acts are ideological extensions of our external enemies, and they have often been justified under the guise of alienation.

Foreign-funded NGOs and networks

Several NGOs operating under the banner of human rights or development have been found channelling foreign funds to destabilise Bharat's domestic politics and policies. They recruited high-profile personalities to push skewed narratives, undermine national institutions, and influence youth with misinformation, all with an aim to harm Bharat's growth and ever-increasing global standing.

Why we missed the internal enemy?

Be it Pakistan or China, they have always been a visible enemy—their intentions, geography, and identity are clearly defined. The internal enemy, however, blends in. They don't wear uniforms and are within our borders—they use the Constitution, media, and public discourse as weapons. Their betrayal doesn’t come with an explosion but through erosion—of values, trust, and unity. We missed them because they didn’t look like our traditional enemies.

Strengthening Our Defences: The Role of the Citizen

In the era of hybrid warfare, every citizen is a stakeholder. Defending the nation today is not just about taking up arms but about being vigilant: questioning narratives, fact-checking information, resisting divisive rhetoric, and putting the nation above religious and ideological identity. Whether it's at the ballot box, on social media, or in drawing room conversations, national security begins with us.

Internal security: Begin at home

As Bharat confronts yet another external threat, we must first cleanse and secure the home front. Knowing the enemy begins not with suspicion, but with discernment. True Shatru Bodh is about identifying those who weaken the nation’s fabric, whether with guns or words, borders or ballots. Patriotism today demands courage not just to fight the enemy we see—but the one we refuse to acknowledge.

(The author is Founder of My Startup TV)