Hearing a petition challenging Delhi HC’s judgement of granting permanent commission to women officers in the Indian Army, the Supreme Court has said all women officers must be given permanent commission in the army, irrespective of their years of service.
Centre’s appeal challenging the Delhi High Court’s ruling in 2010, for granting permanent commission to women officers in Army: Supreme Court says that the permanent commission will apply to all women officers in the Army in service, irrespective of their years of service. pic.twitter.com/7YcFADXqIc
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2020
This is a landmark judgement as it will not only allow women officers to hold top positions in the army, but will also shatter several deeply entrenched stereotypes.
Women officers celebrate outside Court after the Supreme Court upheld their right for consideration for the grant of permenant commissions. The Court came down heavily on sex stereotypes and observed that the physiological features of women have no bearing on their entitlements. pic.twitter.com/qqKh0XxyfU
— Karan Gupta (@karanngupta) February 17, 2020
Earlier this month, the Central government had told the apex court that they cannot appoint women officers at commanding positions because it would be tough for the troops to accept them. The Centre had also cited physiological differences between men and women to argue that the physical capacity of women remains a challenge.
In a progressive statement, the Supreme Court refused to accept the arguments put forward by the central government and said that women officers have performed exceptionally well in the past and brought laurels to the nation. It said:
To cast aspersions on gender is an affront to their dignity and to the country. Time has come that women officers are not adjunct to their male counterparts… from right to equality to right to rationality.
The court also said that imposing a ban on granting commanding positions to women officers is absolutely irrational and based on gender discrimination and stereotypes.
Physiological features of women have no link to their rights. The mindset must change.
Twitter is celebrating the wonderful news that was long overdue.
Kudos! Now implement mandatory sex education in government schools to deal with the so-called 'not-yet-mentally-schooled-to-accept-women-officers' kinds from the rural.https://t.co/gVtGzIOLn4 via @indiatoday
— Bijin (@bijin_jose) February 17, 2020
SC verdict on permanent commission to female officers: progressive but limited in its scope. Barring women from combat roles and command positions with it reflects a disturbing misogyny. #SupremeCourt
— Tanushree (@ichakdaana) February 17, 2020
It’s a historic moment for Indian army. “To cast aspersions on gender is an affront to their dignity and to the country.” Well said by the Supreme Court. https://t.co/faEPIzfKdq
— Abhinav Khare (@iabhinavKhare) February 17, 2020
Congratulations !! All serving women officers in Indian army and Indian women on finally getting their long due right of permanent commission. Thank you Supreme Court of India for this historic judgement!!
— नाम में क्या रखा है चलिए इंसान बनते हैं!! (@rsqrkb) February 17, 2020
#MondayMotivaton The #SupremeCourt upholding the High court judgement on “command and criteria” appointments on par with male officers in the #IndianArmy. A big win for the brave women who have been fighting relentlessly to make our armed forces a more equal place #WomenInCommand
— Nida Hasan (@hasanida) February 17, 2020
It was”over due”.. All’s well that ends well.
— Pawan Singh (@PawsnSingh) February 17, 2020
The court has given the Centre 3 months’ time to implement its order.
