New Delhi: An Army jawan who was allegedly forced to work as 'Sahayak' (Orderly) as part of punishment for returning late from leave, has raised his voice against the colonial system through a video post that has now gone viral.
The jawan who identified himself as Sindhav Jogidas said, "I was punished for raising complaints. Army is the only service where combatants were forced to serve officers."
"I am sure that Army won't accept these complaints. I did not want to speak about the Army in public or social media, but I had no other choice but to raise my complaint in public," Jogidas added.
Also Read: Humiliating, Demeaning: What a Parliamentary Panel Thought of Sahayak System
Jogidas also alleged that he did not get any reply even after complaining on the WhatsApp number given by army for grievance redressal.
Speaking to CNN-News 18, he said, "The officers started harassing me when I refused to do the Sahayak job. I was kept under Army custody for 7 days. Army officers treat soldiers as their 'slaves'."
"I approached Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Defence Ministry. After this a Court of Inquiry (COI) was ordered against me for writing to PMO," he added.
Jogidas also said that there is no official record of sahayaks in the army because nothing is given in writing to soldiers who are deputed as orderly.
There has been no official statement from the Army as yet. But sources in the Army said that Jogidas was employed as Sipahi Housekeeper, which implies that he was in Safai work (sanitation).
"He (Jogidas) joined the army in 2014. His trade is that of Sipahi Housekeeper-which implies he was in Safai work. In 2015, he overstayed his leave and was awarded a seven days pay fine. He
Wanted to leave the service. But after processing his case, he was advised final counselling and then said he did not want to leave and chose to serve in a high altitude area," Army sources informed CNN-News18.
Another CRPF jawan has alleged that officers became vindictive if they lodge complain to them about various issues.
There is no Sahayak system in Navy and Air Force.
Jogidas also alleged that soldiers are given bad food and poor facilities.
Earlier a Kerala jawan Roy Mathew, who featured in a sting operation criticising Sahayak system, was found dead in his barrack in Deolali Cantonment in Maharashtra.
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