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BSF jawan's video: Readers tell us whether politicians are taking armed forces for granted

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DailyBite
DailyBiteJan 10, 2017 | 19:38

BSF jawan's video: Readers tell us whether politicians are taking armed forces for granted

A video uploaded on social media by jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav of BSF's 29 battalion, revealing the poor conditions in which the army officers are forced to live in and serve the country, has drawn the attention of the entire nation. The jawan's outburst has caused a storm on social media with many, including a host of prominent people from all walks of life, coming out in his support.

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The 40-year-old trooper, in his video, said he and others are not given enough to eat and the supplies meant for them are siphoned off by "corrupt officers". 

"We only get a parantha and tea as breakfast and this is without any pickle or butter or jam. For lunch, we get dal. This dal has nothing but turmeric and salt. How is a jawan expected to do his duty like this?”

During the recent chaos following the government's demonetisation drive, the sacrifices made by our armed forces were often cited as examples when people complained of endless wait in queues outside ATMs. The countrymen were told they shouldn't complain because their inconvenience was nothing compared to what the soldiers endure."When our soldiers can stand at the border relentlessly, why can’t we stand outside a bank for a few hours?” The oft-stated reverence for the armed forces rings hollow in the wake of the video posted by Yadav yesterday.

While the Border Security Force has initiated an inquiry into the matter after the video went viral on social media, it also alleged that the soldier was on the verge of being "court-martialled for indiscipline". Union home minister Rajnath Singh too has ordered an inquiry even as his deputy Karen Rijiju said welfare of the security forces guarding the borders is absolute priority of the government.

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Rijiju, however, has said that he found high level of satisfactions amongst the jawans during his regular visit to border posts. 

Yadav's video is not just a slap on the entire system but also raises serious doubts whether respect for the armed forces is only limited to political rhetoric.

Are our politicians taking the armed forces for granted? When we asked our readers they seemed more than just angry over the sad plight of the jawan and other serving officers.

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DailyO readers weigh in.

Ridam: Nothing can be worse than this. What about all those tall claims of the government? Is the current government sacrificing the soldiers at the altar of its jingoistic nationalism?

Armyman: Instead of answering the questions raised by the jawan, the BSF has started to malign him by talking about his past record. How cheap! 

Ajoy: This is indeed sad. Nothing seems to have changed since the days of Chinese aggression, except political parties and their tall claims.

Ramyaaradhya Aradhya: Thanks for making us aware of your problems. Our soldiers are our real heroes.

M Victor Ringo: What happened to Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. Jawans are starving, while farmers are dying.

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Last updated: January 10, 2017 | 19:38
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