77
NEW DELHI: As India ordered an inquiry into a complaint by a Border Security Force (BSF) trooper at the Line of Control (LoC) that he and his colleagues were served bad food, the soldier said on Tuesday he has been transferred to the headquarters as a plumber.
Tej Bahadur Yadav posted videos alleging that troops are served bad quality food and sometimes they even go hungry, The Hindu said on Tuesday.
The videos, posted by the constable of the BSF’s 29th battalion, have gone viral, it said.
India Today said the video focused on the seemingly poor quality of food served to jawans stationed in the challenging terrains of Jammu and Kashmir. It quoted Yadav as saying that he has been transferred from the BSF camp back to the headquarters and has been assigned a plumber’s duty.
He also said that his commandant had tried to get him to take down the video.
Yadav said that he believed that authorities won’t target him since the video had gone viral also saying, “I am not afraid of losing my job...I have shown what the reality is at the post”.
“If soldiers [are] benefited because of me, then I am ready to fight,” the jawan added, going on to say that a lot will be revealed once an inquiry is carried out.
In videos uploaded on Facebook on Sunday evening, the trooper, wearing camouflage uniform and carrying a rifle, claimed that while the government procured essentials for them, the higher-ups and officers “sold it off” in an “illegal” manner in the market.
In three different videos, clocking over four minutes and released online, Yadav (40) shows the food that is being allegedly served to him.
“We only get a ‘parantha’ and tea as breakfast and this is without any pickle or vegetables… we slog for 11 hours and at times we have to stand throughout the duty hours. For lunch, we get ‘dal’ [pulses], which only has ‘haldi’ [turmeric] and salt… with roti. This is the quality of the food we get… how can a jawan do his duty? “I request the prime minister to get this probed… no one shows our plight,” Yadav alleged.
Published in Dawn January 11th, 2017
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (77) Closed
Jan 11, 2017 09:07am
One thing is for sure, he can't be fired as he's so well known to Indian public. The ones responsible for selling off the provisions before they reach these guys at the border should be court marshaled and that'll be a win for this social media savvy jawan. Also job of a plumber at HO is safer, his family should be happy.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 09:40am
Secular india. the largest democracy. shame on them
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 10:57am
Investigations have begun and guilty people already under heat.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:17am
Nothing will happen. This man will disappear behind the promises of investigation and quieted
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:23am
Austerity measures on rations are taken to pay for the Rafales and other "State of the Art" arms and equipment.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:30am
@hamza , what is secular or non secular about this incident. It is about corruption and very few country in the world is free from it.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:39am
This is what happens when you breaks discipline.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:40am
Spicy Food may cause digestive problems for the soldiers, that may be the reason they are given very simple food.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:43am
Better than no job.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:45am
Thumbs up !
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:44am
@hamza Bhai, India isn't that bad.. as you imagine.. it is really a free & democratic country!.. just pls. come down & visit us once & you will end up having a crush on us... I bet!..
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 11:50am
@hamza how come - think hard.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 12:07pm
@Raj very true. This is universal problem in both countries.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 12:25pm
This shows how strong our democracy is. Whether ordinary citizen or an army man, everybody has the right to speak out. The media is always with its people and because of this the problems are addressed immediately. Things are then taken in sporting spirit. Great India. The largest democratic country in the world.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 12:29pm
He should have been appointed the chief cook and not a plumber for BSF!
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 12:41pm
power of India...a voice for everyone
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 12:46pm
Its interesting to note that Indian media is more or less silent on this story. They jump up and down on stories related to the negative issues of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:04pm
He has been assigned with a plumber's job because it is considered a filth mending job.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:07pm
Inceredible India..... my foot
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:12pm
@CRICKET LOVER indeed incredible that's why a small news of his one soldier is highlighted in your top newspaper
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:17pm
Episode Shows, India is a free and democratic Country and everyone can express his views and point out shortcomings in the System.
Its a manner how a free society is working.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:27pm
@Pakistani
Sir it has been highlighted by every news channel & that how it has been a subject of investigation. This is how a democracy functions. Every truth is brought in front of public..be it good or bad.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:31pm
shameful act. incredible india but dont have enough to feed its soldiers
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:52pm
@Ateeq Ahmed pathetic comment read the article before you make comments.This is about corruption and issues that concern the whole population.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:55pm
BSF is saying that he posted a video with his service gun.it is violation of rule ,that's why he got plumber job(with out gun).
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 01:58pm
@Pakistani you are so wrong. This story has gone viral and being played by all news channels
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:18pm
Corruption is the cause of many social evils, be it India or Pakistan. We should not make it a topic of sarcasm. I firmly believe that tension between India and Pakistan also has roots in corruption. If you don't believe study the beneficieries of corruption
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:20pm
@Raj very true,same logic apply to terrorism,very few country in the world is free from it.;-)
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:26pm
@Amar same thought goes to country you habitually target;-)
Although I agree, ground reality is very different contrary to notion.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:29pm
@Murlidhar Nair LOL,where were you before the video went viral.you guyz had no idea.It's easy to brag about it now.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:25pm
@Masoud The price he is going to pay for raising voice.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:29pm
@NPS Dude you should thank facebook for that,otherwise you see the BSF statement after incident .
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:34pm
Shame on senior officials. Why don't they try to fix this instead of punishing him?
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:36pm
This is well known in the Indian army.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 02:48pm
@Ranjit Haripur yeah,this used to happen almost every week in my hostel.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 03:11pm
If you look in the larger context is not it true for common person from India.
Wealthy politicians getting cuts and civilians suffering, similarly the higher ups in army are getting their cuts and the lowers are suffering.
Stop investing in war/weapons and start investing in people, the examples should be Sweden, Norway, Finland etc, dont follow USA, NATO they are the ones causing the wars and selling their weapons and construction machinery, India is following the wrong model and bound for destruction.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 03:20pm
Food is for his rights...Real democracy showing each and every part of India.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 03:44pm
I have seen the video and he seemed like a professional solider who was hurting because of lack of quality and quantity of food. Any brave and gun wielding soldier would consider it a great insult to become a plumber, which is a decent word for toilet cleaner. He is already being punished for speaking the truth.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 03:49pm
@Murlidhar Nair Yeah, how strong your democracy is, that's why Karan Jauhar and SRK have paid handsome money to goons (Shiv sina or whatever) to allow their movies on cinema.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 03:54pm
Every citizen is now feeling empowered to speak against corruption. Democracy is strengthening in India. The day is not far when all government officials have to ensure that tax payers money is only used for public welfare else people will rise and bring justice.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 03:58pm
@Kamran True,ignorance of people like @Murlidhar Nair will only worse the situation.They learn a word democracy and everything is democracy in there opinion.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:06pm
@South Asia Ya, thats why they made him a plumber! stop living in a pretend world and face reality, only than can you progress.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:06pm
@hamza, are you out of mind?
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:13pm
@Pakistani This story has got enough coverage here too. It's been reported by all the major newspapers.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:20pm
Best part of U.S.A and india is, you can express your view point and that makes them current and future super powers...
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:26pm
@hamza It has got nothing to do with Secularism or being the largest democracy. We are not a perfect nation but we strive to become one.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:31pm
Excellent. The soldier must be happy for this promotion.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:34pm
@hamza. His transfer is so that the investigation can happen without him being pressured.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:36pm
@MIRZA. Yes true very few countries are free from it. Also very few countries encourage and fester it ;)
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:39pm
@Kamran. You should read the article in this very paper re: activists and what happens!
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:41pm
Bad food served is shame. This happens not only in India but across the border and other countries also. AM I TRUE?
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:50pm
@FArz Well you really seem to know all stuff:-;
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 04:52pm
Too touchy. Soldiers around the globe have to suffer such severe conditions. I wish world would become a border free, gun free zone
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 05:31pm
Now everybody know how defence people sale the food of soldiers. Shame on these people.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 06:13pm
Lets hand over delicious Biryani take-aways to Indian jawans from LOC fence. Just a good will gesture for promoting "people to people contact"
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 07:09pm
@Dhaval Shah, @Abhai, @PK, Agreed that now it is being covered after the video uploaded by Tej Bahadur Yadav went viral. Its more due to "Internet Social Media" on which governments have no control rather than Indian democracy in action. If your media is so unbiased why was is not reported earlier?
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 07:40pm
@d.k.pamnanI No it isn't Our soldiers get around 20,000 rupees a month along with free food, accommodation and uniforms. No wonder you see Pakistani soldiers getting top positions in most international competitions. A happy soldier is a good soldier and is motivated to fight for his montherland, because he know what good comes from it from him and his family.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 08:43pm
Sorry jawan we can't provide you more healthy food because we need money to buy arms and ammunition that are scared but not humans we have more than a billion population. Marginal utility of Jawans is lesser than the money spend on them.
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 09:06pm
That contrasts with the food supplied in the past on world's highest battle field (siachen), where a Naan (flat bread) would reach costing the Government two US Dollars each!
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 09:10pm
But, where is India's much touted law for the "Right to Information"?
Recommend
0
Jan 11, 2017 09:44pm
surely RSS will reach for questioning his patriotism.
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 04:39am
@MIRZA
is nothing compared to being tried in military courts
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 05:39am
I believe social media has played its role here, time has come when both countries should through away the weapons must say NO to politics of racism, color, cast, sect, background. Say NO to war of power and technology and embrace the future with open arms. Our youth is smart and not dumb like last generation who just want to kill each other, hate will only bring tension and anxiety in society. Peace and love will bring success, economic growth and trade increment in both countries.
I hope anyone who is reading this will agree that humanity is above religion or race, both nations have been blind folded by corruption, power and politicians, say NO to hatred and come together as 2 nation so that we can live in peace now, too many wars have already been fought and a lot of power, money, resources and above all precious human lives have been wasted on it. Come together pls we both are good and smart as nations and we can do better than just hating each other.
Love an peace from Pakistan
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 08:43am
@Houlbelat what, that's only for media. There is no such thing as information rights.
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 04:58pm
@hamza What has being secular go to do with this?
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 05:19pm
He is punished because he is telling the truth it is a great shame.
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 06:34pm
@Masoud what would have happen to him if he was across border...?
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 06:52pm
@Raj I AGREE
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 07:36pm
Atleast he will get better food.
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 08:42pm
The jawan should be discharged with honor with all the retirement benefits because now there is threat to his life and safety. The higher ups will not rest and will try to get rid of him i.e. they might poison him and call it a heart attack, do a fake accident etc. because now he is a threat to the system.
I think Indian public should demand for his discharge and once that happens then someone in the private sector should give him a decent job.
Recommend
0
Jan 12, 2017 11:25pm
Thank You Social media as we are with our soldier Indian or Pakistani soldier is soldier. Let become strong together India, Pakistan is your little brother never forget that. We are same.
Recommend
0
Jan 13, 2017 12:03am
But this incident prove one thing about India and that is that Govt. is supreme.. Armed forces are secondary..
Recommend
0
Jan 13, 2017 12:15am
It is human nature to rise against oppression ... be it india pakistan or elsewhere...
Recommend
0
Jan 13, 2017 01:01am
@SATT discipline isn't a green light for superiors to do corruption and call out the jawans to keep their mouth shut in the name of discipline.
Recommend
0
Jan 13, 2017 05:50am
@hamza what is secularism and democracy to do with it
Recommend
0
Jan 13, 2017 07:11am
I feel sorry for the guy, he seems like nice honest person serving his country sincerely! His grievance is legit and it should be addressed!
Recommend
0
Jan 13, 2017 08:02am
Poor guy bad food bad accommodations low morale, and give bb-guns instead of the real stuff so he has to shoot kids in the eye's real sob story that is if we still had eyes to cry with.
Recommend
0
