BSF draws flak for raking up constable's past record

People slam attempts to link bad food and jawan's conduct

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday faced severe criticism for raking up the disciplinary record of the constable who complained about the poor quality of food being served to the personnel.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has already ordered an enquiry into the claims, but several people criticised the manner in which the disciplinary history of Constable Tej Bahadur Yadav was highlighted by the force in the past two days.

Several people questioned the BSF rationale on social media with one asking how does it matter if the constable had a difficult past. There were also questions on how a constable who is said to be an alcoholic and needed counselling was given a sensitive border posting.

Some others highlighted the need for a “fair enquiry rather than shooting the messenger,” while others asked how is his character record relevant to the expose. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said he has taken serious note of the video but added, “During my regular visit to border posts, I find high-level of satisfactions amongst the jawans”.

BSF Inspector General (IG) D K Upadhyaya said in Jammu that the force had never received any complaints. At the same time, he said the BSF has started a high-level enquiry as it has taken the allegations “very seriously”.

“Prima facie it was found that no other jawan deployed at the same place had any problem with the quality of food being served to them...Even Yadav never raised any complaint earlier when the DIG went to the post,” Upadhyaya was quoted by PTI as saying..

“He has many complaints against him, including intoxication, insubordination and aiming a gun at a senior officer. He was court-martialled in 2010. But taking into consideration that he has a family, he was not dismissed from service and was instead sentenced to 89 days rigorous imprisonment,” the IG said. The BSF has also stated that the ration is being supplied by the army.

Complaint must be probed: Gen V K Singh
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and former Army chief, Gen V K Singh, on Tuesday responded sympathetically to a BSF jawan’s complaint about poor quality food served to soldiers guarding the borders and said the matter called for serious attention, DHNS reports from Mysuru.

Responding to media queries about jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s complaint, Singh said utmost care is given to ensure  quality of services and facilities provided to jawans.