Govt defends caste,religion,region names of Army units

Defending Army regiments named on the basis of caste,region and religion,the Centre Thursday contended the naming was based on historical reasons and had nothing to do with discrimination.

Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran told the SC that since Independence,there hasd been no recruitment only on the basis of caste,religion and region in the Army and that all aspirants got equal opportunity.

The court nevertheless formally issued a notice to the Centre on a petition for abolition of Army recruitment on the basis of caste,region and religion. Petitioner I S Yadav,a doctor,has demanded abolition of Armys recruitment criteria for its duty soldiers on the grounds of caste,region and religion.