It is most unfortunate that “bad food” for a BSF jawan is creating tremors (“BSF shifts jawan as video post on bad food goes viral”, Jan.11). Whatever may be the grievances on both sides, there is a need for an inquiry without bias and measures being taken to improve the food supplies of jawans. Though there might be some deficiencies either in the quality of food supplied or in the living conditions of our jawans who work in adverse conditions, the jawan in question could have exercised more judgment in uploading the video. The situation now could lead to some sort of negative feeling which is not a good sign for security forces and the government.
J.P. Reddy,
Nalgonda, Telangana
Martyrdom is not the only time to respect or pay tribute to a jawan. The many sacrifices he makes before that should also be noted. Politics aside, if a soldier has to implore the Prime Minister to look into the issue of basic daily meals, perhaps the meal plans for him need a little relooking into. This isn’t asking for much. Coupled with unforgiving weather conditions, working on an empty stomach cannot be pleasant.
J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad
The message by the brave soldier, Tej Bahadur Yadav, shows that there could be corruption prevalent in our defence food stores, with soldiers being served poor quality food. If he has been driven into uploading a video clip, it could also reflect the insensitivity of officers towards their juniors. Further, it is baffling that even before the findings of the probe by the BSF are made known, senior officers have transferred him with the reasons attributed being far from convincing. Is serving our soldiers nutritious food too much to ask for?
K.R. Srinivasan,
Secunderabad
It needs great courage for a jawan who is used to taking orders his entire career to speak the truth about the plight he and his fellow soldiers face while guarding our borders. One does not miss the attempts by “powerful superior officers” to discredit him. It is sad that our jawans have to survive on substandard food while protecting our borders. The government must spare the whistle-blower.
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
The video needs proper verification. That apart, the issue about the jawan having a poor reputation should not deflect the focus away from his allegation about the quality of food. The least that the government can do is to ensure quality food and other equipment and facilities to our jawans who work in extremely harsh situations.
K.R. Jayaprakash Rao,
Mysuru
