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The year 2012 saw an outbreak of something that was unimaginable even a few years ago. Mayank Singh examines how frequent and violent conflicts between jawans and officers is a danger signal.jawan killedThree proud units –16 Cavalry, 226 Field Artillery and 45 Cavalry – have seen openly violent conflicts between soldiers or Jawans and officers in recent times. The incidents predictably sent shock waves in the upper echelons of Army. Lieutenant General Vijay General Oberoi says, "Three incidents of collective indiscipline by jawans in the last few months reflect a breakdown in the traditionally close officer-man relationship and is a growing cause for concern... especially as all three incidents are related to combat units."
The rot runs deeper. Defence Minister A K Antony recently told Parliament that as many as 1,018 soldiers had committed suicide since 2003, with the yearly toll regularly climbing over 100. What adds to this problem is that incidents of fragging (to kill or wound a fellow soldier) have also become a regular phenomenon in the 1.13-million strong Indian Army.
Operating in a hostile counter-insurgency environment against a faceless enemy does lead to certain stress, but that is only one of the factors contributing to the growing disillusionment and disenchantment among jawans. Add to it the problems back home – land disputes, tensions within the family – rising aspirations, desire for better pay and allowances, falling standards of supervision from some officers, and a fatal concoction is ready. Stress levels are bound to zoom northwards. Company commanders who lead field units in counter-insurgency situations also believe that tensions at home become more immediate thanks to instant mobile communications.
Gen vk singhOne more common thread among soldiers from Rajasthan to UP, from Tamil Nadu to Haryana was how little respect they seem to command today in a society which devalues their work. Soldiers these days are better educated and consequently better aware of their rights. This, coupled with falling standards of supervision and control among some of the undeserving officers who have risen to command units, is becoming a major cause for worry. A report by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research had earlier held that "perceived humiliation and harassment at the hands of their superiors" – over and above occupational and familial causes – often serves as the final "trigger" for jawans in stress-related cases in the armed forces.
jawan According to Antony, more than 25,000 soldiers have opted for voluntary retirement in the past three years (10,315 in 2011, 7,249 in 2010 and 7,499 in 2009). He added that during the same period, more than 1,600 officers have either sought voluntary retirement or have resigned (this when the army is already reeling under a massive shortage of close to 12,000 officers). Besides, more than 1,000 jawans have committed suicide since 2003.
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