NEW DELHI: The President's Bodyguard (PBG), based in Rashtrapati Bhavan for ceremonial tasks of the excellent commander of the defense force, draws its squaddies best from Jats, Rajputs and Jat Sikhs as a part of the "historical legacy and tradition" that imbues the regimental system of the over 13-lakh robust Indian Army, say senior officials.
This comes in the backdrop of the Delhi high courtroom asking the federal government and the Army for their replies to a petition alleging discrimination because best the three castes were considered for recruitment to the President's Bodyguard.
"It's a needless controversy over the PBG, which has traditionally followed the class composition of Jats, Rajputs and Jat Sikhs since well before Independence. The PBG, which has just 160-180 soldiers, and 61 Cavalry at Jaipur are the only horse-mounted units in the Army. Moreover, it's the Delhi Police, not the PBG, that is responsible for providing security to the President," mentioned an officer.
The Army has three basic varieties of regiments. "Single-class" or "pure" regiments just like the Sikh, Gorkha, Dogra, Garhwal, Jat and the like, which have been raised all over the British Raj based on the classification of certain communities as "martial races" and different factors.
While continuing with such regiments as a result of regimental historical past and ethos, struggle effectiveness and operational performance, the aim after Independence has been to raise "All India-All Class" regiments - just like the Brigade of Guards - the place jawans are recruited from in every single place the country without reference to class and percentage.
In between these two, there are some "mixed" or "fixed'' class units like the Grenadiers or the Mahar Regiment. "The policy after Independence is not to raise any new regiment based on class, creed, caste, community, faith or area however to have a drive by which all Indians have illustration. Recruitment is based on benefit and homestead," mentioned an officer.
The Army over time has strongly rejected calls for raising to any extent further "single-class'' devices just like the Gujarat, Kalinga, Dalit, Ahir, Paswan or Tribal Regiments in addition to makes an attempt to tamper with its "time-tested" regimental system in spite of political and different calls for, as reported previous through TOI.
This comes in the backdrop of the Delhi high courtroom asking the federal government and the Army for their replies to a petition alleging discrimination because best the three castes were considered for recruitment to the President's Bodyguard.
"It's a needless controversy over the PBG, which has traditionally followed the class composition of Jats, Rajputs and Jat Sikhs since well before Independence. The PBG, which has just 160-180 soldiers, and 61 Cavalry at Jaipur are the only horse-mounted units in the Army. Moreover, it's the Delhi Police, not the PBG, that is responsible for providing security to the President," mentioned an officer.
The Army has three basic varieties of regiments. "Single-class" or "pure" regiments just like the Sikh, Gorkha, Dogra, Garhwal, Jat and the like, which have been raised all over the British Raj based on the classification of certain communities as "martial races" and different factors.
While continuing with such regiments as a result of regimental historical past and ethos, struggle effectiveness and operational performance, the aim after Independence has been to raise "All India-All Class" regiments - just like the Brigade of Guards - the place jawans are recruited from in every single place the country without reference to class and percentage.
In between these two, there are some "mixed" or "fixed'' class units like the Grenadiers or the Mahar Regiment. "The policy after Independence is not to raise any new regiment based on class, creed, caste, community, faith or area however to have a drive by which all Indians have illustration. Recruitment is based on benefit and homestead," mentioned an officer.
The Army over time has strongly rejected calls for raising to any extent further "single-class'' devices just like the Gujarat, Kalinga, Dalit, Ahir, Paswan or Tribal Regiments in addition to makes an attempt to tamper with its "time-tested" regimental system in spite of political and different calls for, as reported previous through TOI.
Historical Legacy: President's Bodyguards recruit only from Jats, Jat Sikhs and Rajputs
![Historical Legacy: President's Bodyguards recruit only from Jats, Jat Sikhs and Rajputs]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
December 28, 2018
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