They aren’t shy from making the supreme sacrifice. And away from everything they know and call their own, they choose to give away their present, for our future. Their bravado and fearlessness amidst treacherous conditions ensure we sleep safe in the confines of our homes and savor the taste of Independence and Freedom. However, this revelation by BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur Singh will leave a sour taste in your mouth.
In a video that he has posted on social media, he has revealed the sub-standard conditions our soldiers live in and the treatment they receive, in exchange for serving the nation selflessly. Wanting the entire nation to know how the taxes we pay leak through before reaching the intended place, with enough proof caught on camera, he says,”This is breakfast – one burnt parantha and a glass of tea – no butter, no jam, no pickle. This is the quality of the food we get. We are on duty for 11 hours in the snow and at times we have to stand throughout. Often, jawans go to bed on an empty stomach. Can a soldier do his duty with this kind of food? Share this video as much as possible and take our message to the government. Jai Hind!”
Putting his life at stake for 11 hours everyday in some really challenging conditions, Tej mentions how the sub-standard meals they are provided with, are just not enough to keep a soldier going . And looking at the video, it makes us sick to the core, to know that this is how we treat our men at the fore front. However, Tej doesn’t blame the government, and says that although the centre ensures our Jawans get the best, there are several corrupt men in the establishment itself who sell those necessities to fill their own coffers. In the meanwhile, the Home Minister has ordered an inquiry and seeked a report from the BSF after the incident.
In its defence, the BSF has ordered an internal inquiry and has said that the same soldier was court martialed four years ago for assaulting a senior, but wasn’t dismissed from service on “Compassionate” grounds. “The soldier is a habitual offender of absenteeism without permission, chronic alcoholism and misbehaving with superior officers…For such reasons, individual (Tej Bahadur) has served mostly in headquarters under supervision of some dedicated superior officer“, the BSF said in a statement.