Soldiers posting grievances on social media could be punished: Army Chief


New Delhi, Jan 15 (Agencies) : Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat on Sunday said that jawans who use social media to express their grievances could be held guilty of a crime, and even punished for it.

Speaking at the Army Day function in New Delhi, General Rawat said, "A few colleagues are using social media to draw the media's attention to their problems. It affects the morale of the jawans and thereby the army... You can be held guilty of a crime... and get punished.”

He added that there was a proper mechanism in place for grievance redressal, and if they were not satisfied, they could even contact him directly, instead of turning to social media.

The warning comes in the wake of a spate of videos uploaded by jawans from Army, BSF (Border Security Force) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), critical of the facilities provided to the defence forces, and the behaviour of some senior officers.

  

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Comment on this article

  • John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    Gen. Rawat should first understand why soldiers are posting their grievances in the social media. Obviously because the higher ranks had always turned a deaf ear whenever they had come to the bosses with their problems and grievances. The entire system needs to be thoroughly cleansed and it should start with the Defence Minister by making himself directly accessible to the soldiers and personally attending to their problems.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Tom Cat, Mumbai

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    A lame excuse by the general. I have first hand information how Jawans ration of meat and pulses is diverted by the staff, Quartermasters who are currupt in the army ,and know the art of cheating.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lobo, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    What made soldiers to use social platform for tgeir greivances is worth understanding.. Strongly feel that the current system to adress grievences is not functioning or useless.
    General rawat should first concentrate on correcting the system and take moral responsibility for mishaps rather than threatening with sta
    tements..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat should know that suppressing voice is not a solution to disciplined the soldiers.

    If forces really wanted welfare in the interest of the nation, grievance of each soldier should be addressed and action should be taken. There should be anonymous way to drop the complaint which should be taken into consideration by the higher up without the knowledge of department involved.

    It is easy to action and punish soldier by the higher rank. Each soldier is a asset of the nation which should be given extreme care.

    Any dissident,underpaid soldier is most vulnerable to enemy breach of confidence which against the interest of national security.

    Jai Hind

    DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    Arm Twisting ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • ABDUL RAFIQ, Uchila

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    No value for people's voice and grievances. From the top to bottom across the country dictatorship is working under Modi regime. Undeclared emergency is on in the country. Threatening became a common practice and people have to live under threat, no one can open their mouth. If anybody criticized the govt, they are branded as anti nationals and at least one round CBI raid will conducted on their home, office etc. God save India.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Suratkal/M'lore/Bahrain

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    Bipin Rawat talks as though he has never been in the Army. If a soldier makes a genuine complain, he will be targeted and punished, what a shame. Then fulfill their needs..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prem C, Muscat/Sakleshpur

    Sun, Jan 15 2017

    All those who are working in the Army and left the service will easily remember the GOOD , the BAD & the UGLY treatment they have received .

    Its difficult to stop the frustration now.... .

    Same goes with the Police department all over India .

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse


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