Everyman in uniform is called a Jawan these days.
And even the Policemen in Insurgency areas are called 'soldiers' these days.
But, so far, the Sepoy remains to be used for the Army.
Who knows that that will also become applicable to all!
Then one would not who is who!
Therefore, common words, can cause confusion.
For example:
It is like the confusion created over the Special Powers Act after the shootings on the stone pelter separatists. Everyone gunned for the Army since reports in the media was always about SF and soldiers or jawans doing this or that.
So all thought it was the Army! Including our worthy politicians who went berserk with political innuendos and lack of knowledge and yet wanted to appear intelligent and seized with the situation.
The interesting point was that there was no Army deployed against the stone pelters!!
Misuse of words created confusion. Hence, in my opinion, if I may say, no matter how attractive such words are to define the brave, be they the military or the police, unless there is a distinction, it sows ground for confusion and error in judgement.
Now, everyone wears the IA camouflage uniform. Therefore, when some action is taken, all feel that the Army is at it!!
