Indian soldier rants about bad food, being forced to sleep on an empty stomach, video goes viral
An Indian soldier has made a heartfelt plea to the country's Prime Minister in a Facebook video that has gone viral. For all the wrong reasons.
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Soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav, part of the Border Security Force (BSF) along the Line of Control with Pakistan in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, has alleged that troops are ill-treated and have to make do with food shortage.
He claims that not only is the food served poor in quality, but at times, soldiers have to sleep on an "empty stomach" because higher-ranked officers "sell off" government provisions "illegally".
Yadav has called for a scrutiny of the matter and has requested people to spread his word.
Following his claims, which are fairly serious in nature, India's Home Minister has called for "appropriate action".
I have seen a video regarding a BSF jawan's plight. I have asked the HS to immediately seek a report from the BSF & take appropriate action.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 9, 2017
Charges are now being hurled at the BSF, which has tweeted out a clarification and called Yadav's claims "individual aberrations".
BSF is highly sensitive to the welfare of tps.Individual aberrations,if any,are enquired into.A senior officer has already rchd the location https://t.co/3fH7qZdV5P
— BSF (@BSF_India) January 9, 2017
A senior BSF official has even told the Press Trust of India that Yadav is an "alcoholic" and has been pulled up often for violation of discipline. “However, the force has already ordered for a full investigation into the allegations made," the official has confirmed.
The soldier later told an Indian television station that he has no regrets about the video.
"I don't think I did anything wrong. I only used my basic human rights to put forth the truth", BSF Jawan tells ABP News
— ABP News (@abpnewstv) January 10, 2017
India's citizens have mixed reactions though.
BSF Jawan Shares Plight in Facebook Video, Seeks PM Modi's Attention https://t.co/oXJfpOjzzJ. Gutted, distraught & above all Ashamed!!!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 9, 2017
Taken serious note of a BSF Jawan video. But during my regular visit to border posts I find high level of satisfactions amongst the jawans.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 10, 2017
If @BSF_India is admitting an indisciplined, chronic alcoholic Jawan was deployed for guarding Border, they have bigger questions to answer
— Joy (@Joydas) January 9, 2017
BSF Jawan who posted video should provided proper security, It takes lots of strength and courage to highlight such issues.
— Mahesh Herambha (@MahiHerambha) January 10, 2017
@BSF_India And for Godsake don't take action on Jawan. Not this time, though he skipped service rules. He was left with no options, maybe.
— Sniper #Jallikattu (@avarakai) January 9, 2017
Shocking to hear of massive corrution by SeniorOfficials of BSF selling Rations in OpenMarket. @rajnathsingh Enquiry&Action Must! #BSFJawan pic.twitter.com/h8KBYeGcjr
— Gurudas Kamat (@KamatGurudas) January 10, 2017
Army marches on its stomach. Shameful that BSF jawan had to put video on social media for BSF/MHA to take notice of sorry state of affairs
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) January 9, 2017
The rot is there in our system. Shortchanging is our way of life even if it means playing with lives of others. #BSFjawan
— Ravi Dhingra (@PhotosByRavi) January 10, 2017
The BSF Jawan must be applauded for exposing the truth but I am scared he is not punished @rajnathsingh @BSF_India
— Abhijit Gupta (@Abhijit_TravelD) January 10, 2017
If he was so bad why hasn't he been fired? Isn't that incompetence on the part of BSF? Smacks of character assassination of the jawan. https://t.co/w9hhNahh3f
— Prabhat Singh (@singhK_P) January 10, 2017
