The Army today firmly rejected a fresh call from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) to dismantle caste-based regiments, saying that there was no question of discarding the time-tested system.While seeking an exclusive Dalit Regiment, the Commission’s chairperson Suraj Bhan today recommended that all caste-based regiments be abolished.Adjutant General Lt Gen Mohinder Singh said, ‘‘The Regimental system, constituted on class and caste, is working well in the forces. There is no move on the part of government to change it.’’He added, ‘‘There is no deficiency of personnel below officer rank (PBORs) in the Army. It is government policy to base entry into the force on merit.’’Bhan said earlier: ‘‘I wish they would abolish all caste-based regiments in the Army. However, as the Army chief Gen JJ Singh has refused to even entertain such an idea, I insist that the old Chamar Regiment, that was disbanded in the wake of India’s Independence, be re-established with the less offensive name Ambedkar Regiment.’’He indicated that his demand for space for Dalits in the Army would be an official recommendation in the Commission’s annual report, currently under preparation.
