Army to court-martial soldier who used social media to complain

The Indian Army will court-martial Lance Naik Yagya Pratap Singh, the soldier who used social media to air his grievances against the Sahayak system prevalent in the army.

Lance Naik Singh, who was serving in 14 Rajput, was to retire on Thursday. He has now been attached to the administrative battalion of the Rajput regimental centre till the completion of the district court martial proceedings against him, according to the order issued by Lt Gen Harish Thukral, General Officer Commanding Uttar Bharat.

The soldier criticised the Sahayak system in the army and alleged that he was forced to "wash clothes, polish boots and walk dogs" for seniors. In a YouTube video that went viral, he claimed soldiers like him, who work as sahayak of the officers should not be made to polish shoes of officers.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat later stated that action might be taken against soldiers for taking recourse to social media to air grievances on disciplinary grounds. He stressed that there are systems within the army to air grievances.

Sahayaks are soldiers posted in the houses of officers doing the jobs of a man servant in static posts like the army headquarters in Delhi. However, in infantry operations, they are a must as they provide firing cover and can carry the injured in case the officer is hit by enemy bullets.

Singh's video came soon after a Border Security Force soldier complained of poor quality food in another video that was shared on the social media.