The Supreme Court of India directed the Indian government on 7th July, 2020 to implement the provision of “Permanent Commission” for women Army officers within a month, marking a significant improvement for the female bravehearts in the Indian Army.
Crux of the Matter
Recent Order While reviewing the petition of the Indian government asking for 6 months to provide the ‘Permanent Commission‘ to female Army officers, the Supreme Court of India instead directed the government to complete the implementation within 1 month. In its request, the Indian government had cited the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason for the delayed provision.
What Is ‘Permanent Commission’? Short Service Commission (SSC) is a provision where officers have to serve in the army for a minimum of 10 years. Afterward, the officers have 3 options to choose from. They can – leave the army – apply for an extension of 4 years, or – apply for the Permanent Commission. Officers who choose either of the first two options do not receive a pension and the medical benefits. Prior to the order of the Supreme Court in February 2020, female officers of the Indian Army were ineligible for the Permanent Commission, However, the SC directed the government to provide the option of Permanent Commission to all female officers.
Previous Decisions In February 2020, the Supreme Court had reprimanded the Central government for its recruitment and positioning of the female officers in the Army. The Indian government, arguing against making women officers the “commanders”, stated that “the troops are not yet mentally schooled to accept women officers in command”.
"With prevailing societal norms, the troops are not yet mentally schooled to accept women officers in command," the centre told SC. But how is it fair to deny women officers commanding positions in army to save fragile male ego?, asks @theotherbosehttps://t.co/uonk92EfuZ — News18.com (@news18dotcom) February 7, 2020
Discussing the functioning of women in the Army, the government also cited “absence during pregnancy, motherhood and domestic obligations” as obstructions in their duties.
LGBT In Army Then Army Chief Bipin Rawat opposed the suggestion of including LGBT in the Armed Forces. In his statement, Rawat said that the “Army will not allow LGBT activities in the force… [there are] some section in Army acts to deal with this”. Supreme Court of India decriminalized homosexuality in 2018.
The BSF, CRPF and SSB will now recruit transgender persons to the officer cadre post of assistant commandants (report by @neerajwriting)https://t.co/7sCMDaww3K — Hindustan Times (@htTweets) July 4, 2020
However, the situation has shown improvements in recent times, with the Indian government recently asking the views of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for recruiting transgender people in Armed forces. History Of Women In Indian Army
All wings of the Indian Armed Forces allow combat roles for women after the 2016 decision.
1992: Indian Army starts the recruitment of women for non-medical positions.
2007: First all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) for UN Peacekeeping is sent to Liberia. All women officers – more than 100 – were from India.
Situation In Other Countries
Canada: Allows women in all roles since 1989. 15.1% of its Armed Forces are women (2017).
USA: Removed the ban on female soldiers serving in combat roles in 2013.
Germany: Allows women to join in combat roles since 2001.
Israel: Allows women in combat roles since 1995. It is one of the few nations which have made military service mandatory for both, women and men.
Curiopedia
Field marshal is a five–star general officer rank and the highest attainable rank in the Indian Army. It is a largely ceremonial or wartime rank, having been awarded only twice. Sam Manekshaw and Kodandera M. Cariappa, are the only two officers to attain this rank.
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) was the official United States policy on military service by gays, bisexuals, and lesbians, instituted by the Clinton Administration on February 28, 1994. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants while barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service.
Gilbert Baker was an American artist, gay rights activist, and designer of the rainbow flag (1978), a worldwide symbol of LGBTQ pride. His flag became widely associated with LGBT rights causes, a symbol of gay pride that has become ubiquitous in the decades since its debut.
Curated Coverage
UN News – In first for UN peacekeeping, all-female police unit arrives in Liberia
BBC – India Supreme Court makes landmark ruling on women in army
The Indian Express – MHA seeks views of paramilitary forces on recruiting transgenders as officers
India Today – Will not allow gay sex in Indian Army, says Bipin Rawat
The Times Of India – Male troops won’t accept women commanders: Government to SC
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