Dismissing the batman

Is the centuries old sahayak (batman) system in the Army on its way out? It would seem so, if the recent recommendations of the parliamentary committee on defence are anything to go by. The committee, in its report strongly advocated the "abolishing of the sahayak practice", pointing out that “jawans are recruited for serving the nation and not to serve the family members of officers in household work, which is demeaning and humiliating.” Incidentally, opinion is divided on whethere there is a case for dismissing the batman. While some people feel that it's time to put an end to what is perceived as a "colonial hangover" and an "anachronism of the past", many officers in the army believe that the whole thing is being blown out of proportion and that the sahayak is more of a "buddy" to the officer and that the whole Army should not suffer because "a few black sheep had misused the practice."

Click here to read the pros and cons of the whole issue.