The CRPF jawans who died in Pulwama were predominantly lower-caste. Only five out of 40 jawans, or 12.5 percent, came from Hindu upper-caste families.

The Indian Army continues the colonial practice of making jawans perform menial tasks for officers. Those who speak out against it face harassment and violence.

He asserted that the social media is a two sided weapon. “It can be used effectively, but be detrimental as well,” he said.

Many regiments of the Indian Army, continuing a tradition started by the British, recruit on the basis of caste.

The incident happened in Gujarat's Sandipada village when the wedding procession of Akash Kotdia (27), an Army jawan posted in Jammu and Kashmir, was underway amid objections from some upper-caste...