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Did You Know The President’s Bodyguard Recruits Troopers From Only 3 Communities? Here’s Why
Did You Know The President’s Bodyguard Recruits Troopers From Only 3 Communities? Here’s Why
You must have seen those tall and perfect-physique horsemen in uniforms that escort the President during ceremonial displays. They are the most senior regiment of the Indian Army known as President’s Bodyguard (PBG). This unit is responsible for protecting and ceremonially escorting the President of India.
But beyond the impressive uniforms and horses, PBG has a long history, strict recruitment rules and even legal debates surrounding it.
PBG: Senior-Most Regiment In A Modern Army
Today, the Indian Army mostly follows what is known as the “All India, All Class" recruitment system. This means soldiers can be recruited from any community or region of the country.
But the President’s Bodyguard follows a different model where troopers (soldiers/sepoys) are recruited only from three specific communities: Hindu Jats, Hindu Rajputs and Jat Sikhs.
The regiment maintains an equal balance among these three groups: 33.3 per cent Hindu Jats, 33.3 per cent Hindu Rajputs and 33.3 per cent Jat Sikhs
It is important to note that this restriction applies only to troopers. Officers who command the unit as well as administrative staff like clerks and tradesmen, can belong to any community or region in India.
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How It All Began In 1773
The story of the PBG goes back to 1773. It was raised in Benares (now Varanasi) by Warren Hastings who was the Governor at the time and later became the first Governor-General of India.
The unit began with just 50 selected troopers. Soon after, Raja Cheyt Singh of Benares added another 50 horsemen. By the end of that year, the strength of the regiment had grown to 100 men and horses.
Over the years, the size of the regiment changed depending on the needs of the time. During wars, its numbers increased. According to the Army List of 1845, just before the First Sikh War, the regiment reached its highest strength of 1,929 personnel.
Originally, the unit was responsible for the personal and battlefield security of the Governor and later the Governor-General who sometimes personally led troops into battle.
Changes After Independence
Before India’s independence in 1947, the unit included Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Rajputs. But after Partition, the Muslim troopers were transferred to Pakistan where they formed the Governor General’s Bodyguard there.
The vacancies left behind in the Indian unit were filled by Jats. This step established the current three-caste structure of Hindu Jats, Hindu Rajputs and Jat Sikhs.
While several new regiments formed after Independence followed an open recruitment policy, older regiments such as the PBG were allowed to continue with their traditional structure. This was done to preserve their history and maintain internal unity.
What Are The Legal Challenges Related To PBG?
The recruitment policy of the PBG has faced legal challenges. Some people have argued that restricting recruitment to three communities violates the right to equality under Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution.
One such case was Gaurav Yadav v. Union of India (2018–2019) in the Delhi High Court. The petitioner argued that limiting recruitment to only three castes excluded others like Ahirs. The court issued notices to the Ministry of Defence and the Army Chief.
In another case, Ishwar Singh Yadav v. Union of India (2012–2013) in the Supreme Court, the Army defended its policy by stating that the PBG is a small and specialised unit of around 150 troops. It argued that similar height, build, and appearance are necessary for ceremonial duties.
In Union of India vs. Veerpal Singh Chauhan (2016), the Supreme Court observed that the Army’s regimental system based on class composition is not automatically unconstitutional. The court noted that such systems can serve a “legitimate military purpose related to operational effectiveness."
Why Does The Army Defend The PBG’s Fixed Class System?
The Indian Army has officially defended the recruitment policy of the President’s Bodyguard.
According to the Army, ceremonial grandeur requires perfect visual uniformity. The troopers must look identical in height, build, and overall appearance. This uniform look is considered essential for maintaining the dignity and tradition of the President’s escort.
The PBG also has the strictest physical standards in the entire Indian Army. The minimum height requirement is 6 feet (183 cm), which is much higher than the national average.
The Army argues that the three communities from which troopers are recruited generally have a higher average height and similar physical build. This, it says, makes it easier to maintain the “perfectly uniform" appearance required for ceremonial parades.
In court, the Army has repeatedly maintained that the composition of the PBG is based on “functional requirements" and long-standing tradition, not caste discrimination.
More Than Just A Ceremonial Unit
Although the caste-based recruitment is often explained through ceremonial requirements, PBG is not just for show.
Every trooper in the PBG is a qualified paratrooper, trained for airborne operations. They are also trained as an armoured unit and can operate tanks and other armoured vehicles.
The regiment has real combat experience. Its detachments have served at the Siachen Glacier which is the world’s highest battlefield. They have also been part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and have taken part in United Nations peacekeeping missions
Source: News18
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