Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha was a jubilant celebration in Bharat on 22nd January 2024. However, while Sanatana Bharat marked the day with pious joy, a covert battle was fought by Indians against cyber adversaries from across the border.
Hackers from China and Pakistan sought to disrupt Bharat’s festive mood. How? They launched coordinated cyberattacks on critical Indian websites on Ram Mandir. However, Bharat’s unwavering resolve and proactive cybersecurity measures thwarted these nefarious attempts swiftly and silently. Let’s talk about how Pran Pratishtha was a quiet cyber battleground!
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Consecration – The Cyber Battlefield
During the auspicious occasion of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, cyber attackers from China and Pakistan unleashed a barrage of attacks in Bharat’s cyberspace. Their malicious activities were aimed at marring the face of Bharat’s moment of joy!
The primary targets of these hacking campaigns were websites associated with the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Prasar Bharati, UP Police, UP power grid, and other vital infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh.
Why were these websites attacked? Well, these attacks were meticulously planned and executed to threaten India’s digital sovereignty as well as national security. However, in response to this digital danger, Bharat’s MEITy authorities swiftly mobilized a comprehensive counter.
How Did Bharat Survive The Cyber Attack?
Experts from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and CERT-In were called in to proactively engage in monitoring and mitigating these cyber threats. The Telecom Security Operation Centre (TSOC) maintained a round-the-clock surveillance of critical websites and infrastructure.
Over 264 websites were monitored by TSOC to ensure swift detection and effective response to any malicious activities.
The situation was so bad that Indian authorities had to block over 1,200 IP addresses to ensure the safe conduct of Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
Most of these IP addresses originated from China. This preemptive measure was crucial in neutralizing the threat posed by foreign hackers. Sources reveal indigenous strategies were used to tackle these attacks. It seems that ‘Desi Jugad’ played a role in safeguarding India’s digital assets!!!
A Lesson Well Learnt
Bharat witnessed a similar cyber attack during the G-20 Summit as well. Thus, on a momentous occasion like the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the authorities were alert to all cyber threats. The cyber skirmish during the Ram Mandir inauguration shows the evolving nature of the next generation of cold war among hostile nations. Cybersecurity attacks have become the new way to counter the rise of Bharat. Therefore, constant vigilance against cyber intrusions is imperative.
Bharat is still learning to navigate the complex roads of an increasingly digitized world. Its skilled manpower must prioritize learning cyber security to protect Bharat’s resources. Therefore, the government must also focus on the enhancement of its cybersecurity infrastructure and capabilities. The deployment of AI and machine learning technologies by the Department of Telecommunications is proof of Bharat’s commitment to innovation-driven cybersecurity solutions. Thus, Bharat proved its mettle is proven in the digital domain by harnessing the power of advanced technologies!
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha’s cyber siege is a testament to Bharat’s resilience and determination to safeguard its digital sovereignty against external threats. Let’s hope that Bharat’s agencies continue to silently protect the public from malicious attacks. As the nation continues its journey towards a digitally empowered future, let these lessons gleaned from episodes of attack serve as a guiding light for Bharat’s growth. May technological advancements and digital interconnectivity define Bharat’s rise under Ram Rajya. Jai Shri Ram!