“The assessment of the petitioner with regards to single castes based regiments is incorrect since Dogra, Garwal Rifles, Madras Regiment are not defined by caste but by region. These regiments are drawn from specified social and linguistic groups without reference to caste being the source of recruitment,” the affidavit said.
It, however, admitted that certain regiments are composed and organised/grouped on reasonable classification lines but the overall process of recruitment is open to all classes.
“Certain regiments of the Army are organised on lines of classification because social, cultural and linguistic homogeneity has been observed to be a force multiplier as a battle winning factor,” the affidavit said, adding, “The commonality of language and culture only further augments the smooth execution of operation”.
“Composing or grouping the individuals of common region as the source of recruitment is for administrative convenience and common training/operational requirements,” it said.
Updated on: September 29, 2013 14:13 IST
