Shadows

SHADOWS

RANBIR MANHAS

Why are soldiers gunning for their seniors?

In early times people would join Army out of pride and nationalism. Now entry in the prestigious institution is free for all. People join Army not out of pride but for earning bread and butter.

Gunning down of seniors by their juniors in security forces has become a routine matter and every time it is claimed that the soldier killed his boss because the later did not sanction leave for which he had applied. If the situation is like this then there is not much to be worried about because this aspect can be thought over and necessary remedy easily evolved. But there may be some serious reasons that might be compelling the loyal jawans to either kill their officers or shoot their own selves.

My experience about Police in USA is that they do not spare even sons and daughters of the President of America if they are found violating even smaller laws of the land like drinking and smoking at public places or indulging in rash and reckless driving. In India particularly in Jammu and Kashmir Police have been saving those guilty of crushing pedestrians under their speedy cars thereby violating the law of the land to protect which they have taken solemn oath. When I tried to find out why Police in America was so duty conscious I was told that Police officers whom they call Cops are generally from royal background having little hunger for money. They become Cops to maintain and enhance their status contrary to India where lust for money and power attract Toms, Dicks and Harrys towards belt forces thereby turning these institutions into stinking fish markets.

Another thing that can be attributed to increasing cases of feticide among soldiers is the increasing awareness in them. Most of the soldiers now are more educated than their officers. When such officers abuse or do anything that hurts the ego of juniors especially in drunk condition the educated soldiers get offended and a clash of ego begins. The heart burning grows and both subordinate and the officer remain in a continued look out for an opportunity to settle the score. Whereas the officer has many opportunities to scold the jawan the only way for the later is to react in a lethal manner and the results are fearful.

In early times people would join Army out of pride and nationalism. Now entry in the prestigious institution is free for all. People join Army not out of pride but for earning bread and butter. And if this is the background then why soldiers should be expected to behave differently from those who are in civil services?

I have an ex-serviceman friend of mine. He had joined Army after doing his BSc with me. Soon after his joining the ranks his father died of a prolonged illness and whole responsibility of the wrecked family fell up on him, which he discharged with utmost sincerity. He ensured that after graduating herself his sister was married in a high family. He also made his younger brother a Police officer. The result was that when he returned home he had nothing substantial to fall back upon as he had spent even his GPF on the maintenance of his family. By then, however his younger brother had become a rich man. Soon he was married to a lady teacher and decided to shift to his newly constructed house saying good-bye to the joint family. Today his children are reading in an expansive private school. Though the soldier feels contented his children feel up set. “We wish our father too had opted for some civil service our condition wouldn’t have been like this”!

Friends, this is the difference between a fouji and a civil servant that every soldier has begun realizing now. Like every educated person an educated jawan also longs for financial security. He also wants social security and when he is denied the same he starts boiling from inside and bursts apart as and when situation arises. This is not the case with few angry young men, it is happening with every soldier who has a conscience.

In America over the years the socio-economic gap between an officer and a jawan has been narrowed down whereas in our country the traditional bossism still prevails. Though reasonable and respectable distance between soldiers and their boss should be maintained as a matter of discipline officers should shun their traditional arrogance lest the element of bickering between them and their subordinates should snow ball into a major controversy making them enemies of each other. The existing trend is dangerous requiring immediate attention. If timely remedy is not worked out the situation may deteriorate to irreparable condition and what will happen then is horrifying even to think of. It therefore becomes imperative that before such a situation arises all aspects leading to the fetal discontent should be addressed and sooner this is done better it would be.