The video of Tej Bahadur Yadav, a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier, alleging that he and his fellow soldiers have to often go to bed empty stomach went viral a few days ago.
The video elicited a host of responses, with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking a probe from the BSF.
The video also invited sportspersons and actors to voice their support for Yadav.
Sehwag’s tweet also started a hashtag #Food4Soldiers, which picked up massively on social media.
Several other sportspersons also took to social media to express their concern.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar also chose to speak about the incident, saying that something like this shakes up the morale of the force and that he addressed the same concern with Kamal Nayan Choubey, IG, BSF.
“I have spoken to Kamal Nayan Choubey sir, who is the second-in-command. Whatever has come out is not right because these forces take care of us more than their kids, be it the Army, BSF, CRPF or ITBP. All our jawans are respected a lot. I can tell you more about the case in two or three days because investigations and inquiry are still on. Such incidents demoralise the spirit of our army, BSF and CRPF jawans.”
Nana, however, was careful to add a caveat.
“I have seen the videos. But I have learnt that there was some enquiry that was already in place on the jawan. I can’t tell you all about it now. BSF and CRPF are our jawans and they protect us. So before we say anything about them, we have to think twice. Also, Kamal Nayan sir has assured me that nothing of that sort has happened,” Nana said.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)