No witch-hunting, address the issue

All belt forces are known for their strict discipline and propriety deep into their core and the most vital chord that makes the Army and Para-military forces vibrant, strong with over-brimming valour. But the discipline flows from the top to the bottom up to the infantryman and the seniors had always set precedence of discipline, leadership and valour. Soldiers never complained for their hardship, sufferings and their sacrifices for the nation. It has been taboo for practices and complaints pertaining to the armed forces to be commented upon on social media.

Of late, armed forces too were getting headlines for wrong reasons. Like in other sphere of life, the degeneration also has crept into the armed force with few unscrupulous elements penetrating into these highly respected belt forces.

The incident of a BSF jawan posting a video on social media criticising the food he was being served in a forward area in forward area and a couple of days later a CRPF man questioned the alleged discrimination in the facilities provided to Army and paramilitary forces through another posting on a social networking site reflected, in a sense the declining standards of discipline and propriety in the forces. It is in fitness of things that the new Army chief has called the soldiers to raise their grievances internally only and urged personnel to use the suggestion and grievance boxes at the Army HQ and command centres to direct their complaints to the top brass in the forces.

It is perfectly in order what the Army Chief has promised to the rank and file but if the prevalent system would have been in order, such situation would have never came forth.

The issue at ground zero of involvement of few officers of BSF and other armed forces indulging into corrupt practices in procurement of various stores is not new for the people and government alike. But, what is painful is when such officers are found doing malpractice in procuring food items like milk, mutton, eggs and even other grocery item through a select set of suppliers and contractors of choice for decades. The investigation report forwarded by Home Ministry to PMO was on expected lines and top brass and ministry cannot afford to go otherwise

There should be no witch-hunt against those raising grievances internally and that if the complaints are found weighty and genuine, there would be prompt inquiry and redressal, regardless of how highly placed is the officer who is complained against. So, some mechanism has to be put in place that inspect and monitor randomly the supplies to the armed forces and para-military forces and taking samples.

But now that the chief has made it amply clear, discipline demands that the forces personnel honour his instructions in letter and spirit. If there is substance in the allegation that rations meant for the serving jawans are being diverted to the market by some officers or their juniors, there must be punitive action taken. As for soldiers being made to do menial personal jobs by officers, that has been a practice right since colonial days which must be put an end to.

Be that as it may, however, social media is not the platform on which such complaints ought to be taken. Bereft of discipline, the armed forces and para-military forces would be as chaotic as other walks of life. The distinctness of the forces in terms of discipline standards cannot be compromised at any cost. It would be a sad day indeed when complaints on pay and allowances get to be aired in public by armed forces personnel on a heightened basis.