The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, made an appeal to all state governments, particularly those of border states, to show sympathy and sensitivity towards the Border Security Force (BSF). Recognizing the significant challenges faced by BSF personnel in guarding India’s long, complex, and porous borders, he urged all states to take affirmative steps and sensitize their mechanisms to ensure that the morale of the BSF remains high.
During the 20th Investiture Ceremony of the Border Security Force held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Vice President delivered the Rustamji Memorial Lecture for the year 2023. He called upon citizens living in border areas to consider themselves as an extension of the BSF and to provide support to the Border Security Force. Additionally, he emphasized the need for establishing a mechanism to take care of cattle seized by the BSF from smugglers.
At the ceremony, a total of 35 BSF personnel were awarded, including two Police Medals for Gallantry and 33 Police Medals for Meritorious Service. These awards recognize the bravery and meritorious service of the recipients in their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Commending the BSF soldiers for their devotion to duty, he said that each one of them reflected sublime commitment and nationalism which we all need to emulate. “The brave men and women of the BSF exemplify courage, valour and dedication in service of the nation,” he added. Lauding the never-say-die spirit of BSF personnel, he said that they unflinchingly defend India’s borders even in difficult geographic conditions such as Thar desert, Rann of Kutch, snow clad mountains & dense forests of Northeast. He also expressed his gratitude to the families of BSF Jawans for sustaining their morale despite many hardships.
The Vice President said that India is rising like never before, and an important factor contributing to this rise is our safe & secure borders. Describing Shri K F Rustamji as a charismatic leader, VP said that he not only set up the BSF but also laid the firm foundations of the Public Interest Litigation in the Indian Judicial System. Under his guidance, BSF evolved into a modern, disciplined and capable force, he noted.
Mentioning that Shri Rustamji was a member of the first ever National Police Commission (NCP) set up in 1977, Shri Dhankhar said that, “the need for NPC was felt because the largest democracy on the earth was visited by a dark era of emergency in 1975, that saw a large scale human rights violations, debacle of Institutions, something which the founding fathers of the Constitution never imagined. A large number of people were put behind the bars & they had no access to the judiciary…”
Praising Shri Rustamji for the phenomenon of judicial activism in India, Shri Dhankhar said that he laid ground to India’s the first Public Interest Litigation case, Hussainara Khatoon vs State of Bihar which led to the release of 40,000 undertrials all over India who had been languishing in jails much beyond the maximum permissible period. “If he had sat quietly, those people would have continued to languish in jails. But he tried and succeeded. I state further, never hesitate to try, a failure is only a step towards success,” VP added.
The Vice President also praised another former DG of BSF, Shri Prakash Singh for passionately taking Rustomji’s baton and torch to higher level. Referring to his relentless efforts for police reforms, he said they led to another significant judgement from the Supreme Court in 2006 when a foundation was given to those in Governance on how to allow Police to function and to be in the service of the nation.
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