Indian Army chief warns soldiers not to use social media to air grievances

Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat has warned soldiers not to air their grievances using the social media, saying that such acts can be construed as "crime" and strict action may be taken.

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

"If any jawan has any kind of problem, you have a system to air the grievances for redressal. If you are not satisfied with the action, then you can contact me directly," he said.

The Indian Army chief's warning came in the midst of a controversy that erupted after a soldier posted a video on social media criticising the use of soldiers as "buddy" of officers.

The soldier has alleged he was forced to "wash clothes, polish boots and walk dogs" for his seniors.

The soldier's video followed similar acts by a trooper each of the para-military Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force, prompting the Indian government to order a probe into the allegations of poor pay and low-quality food served to the personnel posted in frontline areas. Endit