Women Army Officers Case: Gender Disparity in the Indian Army, clarification of SG,
SG Tushar Mehta clarified his argument in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, “I did not mean to say anyhow that men cannot take commands from female superiors“.
Further the SG expresses, “Women don’t have to make an endeavour to come at par with men. They are much above the men…”.
As a remark Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, “I myself was surprised when I saw the news. I couldn’t agree with it…It was reported out of context…”.
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Justice Chandrachud during the course of hearing :
“The matter is of 2010. They have been in litigation for 10 years. So nobody has completed 14 years (the maximum period in Short Service Commission post which Permanent Commission is granted to suitable and willing candidates)?…You didn’t comply with the judgment of the Delhi high Court (of 2010 requiring PC to be offered to women officers at par with the male SSC officers with consequential benefits). In saying that you are not in contempt, this court did not stay that judgment…now they have been in service for 24 years but have not completed 14 years? How can the government be so averse to considering this? This is a dying cadre situation…”
Combat battlefield roles are becoming less and less today. Of course we have to be battle-ready…a small fraction of the armed forces is dedicated towards that…women have come to be excluded there. You may say women are not suitable for that (combat), but to be commissioned?”, questioned the judge.
“Military policies are aimed at national interest. They evolve with time…“, Mr. Balasubramaniam replied.
“But that is also how you inducted women into the army. Perhaps their induction into the army should be discontinued!”, it was countered on behalf of the female officers.
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The Centre has also talked about the possible unwillingness of male troops, predominantly drawn from rural backgrounds, to accept a women in command of their units.
After the arguments on Wednesday, the bench, also comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi, reserved orders on the matter concerning Army. The cases pertaining to Air Force and Navy will be heard next week.
