'Poorly-fed' Indian soldier an alcoholic: BSF

Border force says the jawan was on the verge of being court-martialled

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday said it was on the verge of court-martialling a jawan who recently shot a viral video to 'expose' the poor quality of eatables being served to soldiers.

A day after he released the video, the border force alleged that Yadav has had a difficult past and right from the start of service he needed regular counselling. "He (Yadav) has four bad entries in his 20 years of service, hence, wasn't promoted which can be cause of frustration," BSF DIG MDS Mann said.



The BSF further claimed that Yadav had a history of alcoholism and had been a repeated defaulter. "He (Yadav) has indulged in in-disciplinary actions in the past too. He was to be court-martialled in 2010 but considering his family he wasn't dismissed," BSF IG DK Upadhyay told journalists in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The force said it was considering strict action against the soldier for “indiscipline” as he had flouted a proscription regulating use of mobile phones.

[fbpost link="https://www.facebook.com/rohitkumar.yadav.75457/videos/vb.100006105721853/1852706808276159/?type=2&theater"]

Yadav had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to probe the matter in the video. In the clip, the soldier blamed senior BSF officials for the state-of-affairs.

"If any of his allegations are found true we will certainly initiate action against the defaulters," Mann said.

"As far as the food is concerned, I can agree that taste might not be very great as in winters there is tinned and dehydrated food but have never received any complaint from jawans regarding the same,” IG Upadhyay said.

Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh also tweeted about the video, ordering an inquiry.

I have seen a video regarding a BSF jawan's plight. I have asked the HS to immediately seek a report from the BSF & take appropriate action.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 9, 2017

Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju emphasised that the issue would be addressed. "Welfare of our security forces is our absolute priority. Any anomaly will be dealt with firmly,"Rijiju told ANI.

Taken serious note of a BSF Jawan video. But during my regular visit to border posts I find high level of satisfactions amongst the jawans.

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 10, 2017

This article originally appeared on Times of India.