As Nation Gears Up for Massive Mock Drill, Congress Slams Rajasthan BJP’s Gujarat ‘Picnic’

Jaipur- India is set to conduct an unprecedented nationwide civil defence mock drill today across 244 districts, a critical exercise aimed at equipping citizens with survival skills amid escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly following the covert Operation Sindoor.

The drill, the first of its scale since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, intensifying India-Pakistan border tensions. However, the absence of Rajasthan’s entire BJP-led government — currently in Gujarat for a “training program” — has sparked fierce criticism from the Congress opposition, who have accused the state leadership of prioritizing a “picnic” over national security.

A Nationwide Effort to Bolster Preparedness

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has mandated the mock drill under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, to ensure compliance with civil security protocols and prepare the nation for potential hostile attacks. Spanning every state and union territory, the exercise will involve urban hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, as well as rural communities, covering 244 strategically selected civil defence districts. These districts were chosen based on their proximity to international borders, presence of critical infrastructure like power grids and military installations, and urban population density, with over 100 locations deemed “highly sensitive.”

The drill, commencing with air raid sirens at police stations, hospitals, high-rise buildings, and schools, will simulate a wartime scenario. Citizens will be guided to designated safe zones — bunkers, basements, or reinforced structures — while teachers oversee student evacuations. Key activities include:

• Air Raid Siren Tests: Ensuring warning systems are functional to alert civilians during emergencies.

• Blackout Protocols: Simulating city-wide power outages to counter enemy surveillance or nocturnal aerial threats, with residents instructed to extinguish lights in homes, shops, and offices.

• Camouflage Drills: Concealing strategic sites like military bases, power stations, and communication towers using foliage, nets, and other materials to evade satellite detection.

• Evacuation Rehearsals: Practicing swift relocation from high-risk zones to secure shelters.

• Civilian Training: Teaching survival techniques, including shelter-seeking, body positioning during air raids, first aid, fire suppression, and stress management.

Participants include District Collectors, Civil Defence Volunteers, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members, and students. Over 4 lakh volunteers, alongside police and paramilitary forces, will facilitate the exercise, which will also test control room operations and communication links with the Indian Air Force.

The MHA has emphasized that the drill is not a cause for panic but a proactive step to enhance preparedness in the “current geopolitical scenario,” marked by “new and complex threats.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has vowed to pursue the Pahalgam attackers “to the ends of the earth,” is closely monitoring the exercise, with Home Secretary Govind Mohan reviewing preparations with state officials.

Rajasthan Government’s Absence Sparks Outrage

While the nation braces for this critical exercise, the Rajasthan BJP government’s absence has ignited a political firestorm. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Home Minister Jawahar Singh, both Deputy Chief Ministers, the Civil Defence Minister, and several BJP MLAs are currently in Gujarat, attending what the party describes as a “training program.” Congress leaders have seized on this, accusing the government of abandoning its responsibilities at a time when Rajasthan’s 1,070-km border with Pakistan demands heightened vigilance.

Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully lambasted the government, stating, “A mock drill is being conducted across the country, and war-like preparations are underway, but Rajasthan’s government is nowhere to be found. The Chief Minister, Home Minister, both Deputy Chief Ministers, and ruling party MLAs are missing. For such a massive drill, their presence is essential for effective monitoring, but the BJP government is picnicking in Gujarat.”

Jully underscored Rajasthan’s strategic importance, noting, “After Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan shares the longest land border with Pakistan. The Chief Minister and government’s responsibility is paramount. PM Modi and Home Minister Shah must immediately summon them back to focus on this critical task.”

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in a post on X, echoed these sentiments: “Rajasthan’s entire government — the CM, Deputy CMs, and BJP MLAs — has left the state deserted. Given Rajasthan’s strategic role, their presence during the nationwide mock drill is non-negotiable. This is gross negligence.”

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee President Govind Singh Dotasra, speaking in Ajmer, added, “Civil defence is a national priority, but Rajasthan’s government is running on paper orders. Ministers are figureheads, and MLAs are in Gujarat. This is a mockery of governance when the state should be on high alert”