BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s video has shaken India and should give administrators some food for thought. While the BSF dismissed his claim of poor quality food and tried to discredit him, the Centre, in a more promising response, sought a report from the home ministry and assured corrective measures. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat announced a new grievance redressal mechanism and said soldiers could approach him directly if issues were not resolved, after Yadav, a CRPF constable posted a video complaining of bias and lack of facilities. If personnel taking care of security have to take to social media to convey their plight, it’s time for some serious introspection.
The worrying factor is that the BSF first tried to shame the jawan, calling him a “chronic alcoholic and frequent absconder”, and then shifted him to a different location. They asked why no other jawan has complained. In Indian forces, indiscipline and insubordination are treated almost on a par with treason, and rightly so. In such a setup, it’s difficult, and virtually unthinkable, for personnel of lower ranks to complain about seniors or ill-treatment, if any.
The forces do have own mechanisms to deal with grievances. But the incidents clearly show they are not adequate. On Thursday, a CISF jawan posted in Bihar shot dead four seniors. Reports said he was upset over denial of leave. Had there been a system that addressed his gripe, this probably would not have happened.
The Centre and forces must take a relook at the facilities available to the personnel. The daily food allowance for a BSF jawan is a paltry `95. If Yadav’s claims are indeed true, it must be said inmates in some prisons get better food. A CAG report tabled in July last year had pulled up the Army over poor food given to troops. The report was ignored. The government must wake up at least now. For, our jawans, serving in harsh conditions to guard the country, deserve better.