Recently, a video clip featuring a BSF soldier attained "viral" status in social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter, owing to the bitter revelations the jawan seemed to lay before the eyes of the world. Complaining of poor food and facilities despite having to guard the borders amidst harsh conditions, the video showed a sorry condition of our Border Security Force soldiers.
Responding to the nationwide outrage that followed the circulation of the video clip, the government stepped in to pacify the people, saying that they will look into the matter, and that the welfare of the country's soldiers shall be looked after.
Hardly had Home minister Rajnath Singh ordered an inquiry into the matter, that another report broke into news, according to which civilians living near paramilitary forces' camps, particularly those of the Border Security Force (BSF), said that officers engage in selling fuel and food provisions meant for the personnel to outsiders at half the market rate.
However, the claims and the outrage were put to rest to some extent once Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju cleared the air by posting a photo of themselves alongside BSF officials, with the caption saying this:
"We have taken serious note of the video posted by a BSF Jawan complaining poor food quality. The welfare of our Security Forces are in top priority. Rajnath Singh ji or I regularly enquire about the welfare of jawans while visiting the border posts. We found our jawans satisfied with the facilities but strong action will be taken if any anomaly is found."
Some angst still remains, though, following how BSF stated that the soldier in the video, a certain constable Tej Bahadur Yadav, was a habitual offender of absenteeism and a chronic alcoholic and misbehaved with superior officers.
The government, however, has assured that the matter will not be overlooked or left unaddressed. Union minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju has revealed that the Centre has sent teams of expert dietitians to border posts to ascertain the quality of food being served to security personnel.
He further added that the Centre has already instituted a brigadier-level probe into the allegations though the videos are yet to be verified. “I appeal to the media not to make an issue out of a video which is yet to be verified. We have taken the matter very seriously,” Rijiju said.
Moreover, on Wednesday the BSF submitted a second report regarding the matter to the home ministry, stating that the ‘dal’ shown in Yadav's video was uncanned from tinned food ration and the ‘parantha’ was cooked in the unit mess as per procedures followed at high-altitude locations.
The report has also confirmed that there are certain shortcomings that need to be mended. These include cooking and supply of food in a hygienic and stipulated quantity as per established rules.
A final report by the BSF, looking into Yadav's allegations is yet to be submitted.
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