BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur Dismissed For Indiscipline After Viral Video

The sacking raises doubts about the Army’s concern for internal health, a key issue at a recent army commander meet.

BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/@Tej Bahadur Yadav)

BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, whose viral video on the sub-standard food served in Indian Army triggered a controversy, was sacked on Tuesday. An inquiry for reported breach of discipline was instituted against Yadav, according to PTI.

A senior official said Yadav had crossed the line of discipline and broken service rules by posting two videos one after another.

Talking to The Quint, his brother-in-law Sunil Yadav said:

We believed in the government. He spoke against corruption but the government didn’t care about him. We didn’t think what he did would warrant his dismissal. We didn’t expect this at all and are extremely worried. Don’t know when he will be back.

Yadav Complains About ‘Inedible Food’

In his video, Yadav talked about the ‘inedible’ food the jawans were fed. He blamed corrupt bureaucrats for their pitiable living conditions.

Top Army Commanders Discuss Sahayak System

The news of Yadav’s dismissal comes a day after the top army commanders held extensive deliberations on the army's “internal health”, including cases of jawans coming out against the Sahayak system, salary-related discrepancies, and rising cases of its personnel approaching courts for grievance redressal.

An entire gamut of issues relating to the Indian Army's human resources was discussed on Tuesday.

In recent months, a number of videos of army jawans voicing their anger against the Sahayak system have surfaced.

The commanders discussed rising cases of army personnel knocking at the doors of the courts for redressal of their grievances, including promotion-related issues.

Also Read: Gunner Roy Mathew’s Death: The Quint Asks the Unanswered Questions

Issues relating to Seventh Pay Commission and Non-Functional Upgrade (NFU) also figured in the deliberations. There has been a demand for implementing NFU in the armed forces.

Under the NFU scheme, officers in central group A category get automatic time-bound pay promotions. Pay hikes under NFU scheme are independent of organisational requirements and vacancies.

The conference also discussed grievances of the ex-servicemen relating to ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and explored ways to redress them.

Also Read: End the ‘Sahayak’ System and Stop Making Our Jawans Walk Dogs