https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Fraternity, Community Service, and the Misunderstood Role of Home Guards in India

Explore the misunderstood role of Home Guards in India—voluntary citizens upholding fraternity, community service, and civil defence beyond professional policing. An opinion piece by Vivek Srivastava and Dr Dinesh Singh.
Indian Masterminds Stories

By Vivek Srivastava & Dr Dinesh Singh

On the 79th Independence Day, addressing the nation from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra—an initiative aimed at expanding, strengthening, and modernising India’s national security framework. Within this context, the Home Guards can play a vital role at the grassroots. However, their effectiveness hinges on reimagining their role in alignment with the original intent behind their creation.

The Role of Home Guards and Fraternity

Home Guards are a unique institution built upon the value of fraternity. Formed as a voluntary force, they consist of ordinary citizens who willingly offer their time and efforts to support internal security, civil defence, and community welfare. Unlike professional state employees, Home Guards act as a bridge between the government and community, stepping in during festivals, emergencies, and natural disasters to maintain order and assist in relief.

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution highlights fraternity alongside justice, liberty, and equality. Although often overlooked in legal discourse, fraternity represents collective responsibility, unity, and mutual support. This principle is the foundation of voluntary service—the very essence of the Home Guards, who act out of a shared sense of duty rather than obligation.

Historical Background and Development

The Home Guards concept emerged in 1946 during communal unrest in Mumbai. In response to the violence, a civilian volunteer force was created to aid law enforcement and protect citizens. The importance of this force led the Government of India to formalise it with the Model Home Guards Act, 1965, which enabled states to establish their own units. Since then, Home Guards have significantly supported police and civil authorities, especially in times of crisis.

However, over time, confusion has arisen about the nature of this organisation. Because Home Guards sometimes perform duties similar to police—like maintaining public order or aiding in disaster relief—there is a widespread but mistaken belief that they are akin to permanent service professionals. This misunderstanding has led to administrative and judicial misinterpretations that risk eroding the fundamental goal of nurturing community spirit.

Misinterpretation of Voluntarism

Viewing Home Guards as police officers, “workmen” under labour laws, or civil servants under Article 311 of the Constitution is a misreading of their purpose. Such claims, often stemming from demands for regularisation or employment benefits, ignore the voluntary basis on which Home Guards operate. Applying labour or civil service frameworks to this participatory institution misses the point.

The Supreme Court has clarified that enrolling as a Home Guard does not establish a master-servant relationship nor entitle individuals to permanent employment or regular service benefits. Treating these roles as regular jobs would violate the legal framework and distort the intent of fostering community engagement.

The objective is not to provide permanent employment or create a parallel government service but to maintain a dedicated network of citizens who can support state functions as needed. Attempts to regularise these positions compromise the true spirit of the Home Guards: cultivating selfless, community-minded citizens, not providing stable career opportunities. Diverse state-level approaches to recruitment and statutory implementation have further contributed to misunderstandings about the organisation.

Safeguarding the Constitutional Vision

As we strive to strengthen democratic institutions, it is vital to remember the ideals that shape them. Home Guards embody the constitutional principle of fraternity by promoting community and mutual support. Reducing their role to categories meant for employment disputes or state posts undermines their unique identity.

Instead of misclassifying Home Guards for administrative convenience, we should focus on reviving and supporting their spirit of voluntary service. By doing so, we honour the Constitution’s deeper message: that nation-building depends not only on laws and institutions but also on the bonds of mutual respect and civic responsibility among all citizens.

About The Author

Vivek Srivastava is a retired Indian police service officer of the 1989 batch of the Gujarat cadre. He has been Director of SPG and Director General, Fire Success, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

Dr Dinesh Singh is an assistant professor of Law at National Law University, Delhi.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
mobile-van-animals-bihar
Veterinary Care Now Just a Call Away in Bihar: State Initiative Brings Medical Help to Your Doorstep
drip-and-sprinkler-irrigation
Farmers in Bihar Get Big Boost from PM’s Irrigation Scheme: 90% Subsidy for Drip and 75% for Sprinkler Systems
bureaucracy news
New Appointments in Key Government Departments: Harish Kumar Kallega, Heera Lal, Samarth Verma, and Reema Jain Take Senior Roles
RBI
Government Appoints Shirish Chandra Murmu as Deputy Governor of RBI for 3-Year Term
Mohan Yadav RTE
MP CM Mohan Yadav Transfers ₹489 Crore to 20,652 Private Schools for EWS Students Under RTE Act
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
MHA Logo
MHA Directs IAS Officer Nitish Rajora to Join Ladakh by September 30, Warns of Disciplinary Action for Non-Compliance
PFC logo resized Power Finance Corporation Ltd
KHPL Signs Rs 4,829 Crore Loan Agreement with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) for Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Shubham Muchhala MPPSC 2024
9 Years, 6 Interviews, Now Deputy Collector: Meet MPPSC 2024 Hindi Medium Topper Shubham, the Face of Relentless Struggle
After nine years, seven prelims, six mains, and five interview failures, Shubham Muchhala secured MPPSC...
Abhay Daga IPS UPSC Success Story
IIT Graduate, Microsoft Alum, Actor, to Cracking UPSC CSE: The Story of Abhay Daga
Read the inspiring journey of Abhay Daga, an IIT graduate, Microsoft alum, and actor, who cleared UPSC...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
mobile-van-animals-bihar
Veterinary Care Now Just a Call Away in Bihar: State Initiative Brings Medical Help to Your Doorstep
drip-and-sprinkler-irrigation
Farmers in Bihar Get Big Boost from PM’s Irrigation Scheme: 90% Subsidy for Drip and 75% for Sprinkler Systems
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT