Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s controversial comments on women in combat roles and their ability to lead troops have not gone down well, drawing the ire of Twitterati who called him out for being sexist. In an exclusive interview with a news channel, Rawat had said that women officers were ‘not fit’ for combat roles in military. He defended his statement giving reasons like, women having the responsibility of raising kids or feeling uncomfortable at the frontlines, and a scenario of women officers probably accusing jawans of peeping as they change clothes, to explain why they can’t be given combat roles. He also added that most jawans come from villages and they may not accept a woman officer leading them. Do the Armed Forces need to be determined by ability alone and not gender? Though we claim about equality in all fields, doesn’t this statement give a picture of the real scenario?
Public apology necessary
Sreelatha Nair, blogger
We belong to a country that takes immense pride in our military force. A blemish on our pride due to such bizarre comments from a superior officer can not be tolerated. General Rawat has showcased his handicapped mindset in front of national media dropping down not just his own esteem, but the nation’s at large. I do not understand what he was trying to sell kindling such an outrage. His statements dragged us to decades old misperception of women treated as a synonym for domestic chores. What blindfolds our general from the sight of women pioneers leading the nati on in various fronts? If our military force cannot guarantee women officers’ safety and privacy, how can they safeguard a country? We believe our soldiers are not just physically fit, but possess high intellect. They are expected to have the rationale to realise it’s not gender, but ability that counts. General Rawat has promoted an insane attitude towards women and it calls for a condign public apology. Such gesture from higher government officials is a shame on our system.
Need women friendly spaces
Kavita Krishnan, secretary, AIPWA
Those defending the Army Chief are saying he’s only citing ‘ground realities’. But is sexual harassment by jawans, or their refusal to obey women officers an inevitable reality? Do we accept caste and communal prejudices, untouchability etc. as a ground reality for the Indian Army? Further, the Army Chief has cited pregnancy and maternity leave as reasons to keep women out of combat roles. He is implying that jawans are bound to ‘peep’, but women are complaining against sexual harassment that disqualifies them for combat. Does this mean he’s admitting that jawans are not as disciplined? Some have argued that combat roles are available for women in Air Force, but few have availed this opportunity. Does that prove women’s natural lack of inclination or ability for combat? Or, does that perhaps suggest we’ve to work harder to make sure these spaces are friendly to women?
Merit should be counted
Hitha Chandrashekar, actress
This is why there is even a need for feminism and women fighting for their rights. Till there are no equal opportunities for both men and women in all walks of life, women will always belong to a suppressed minority. Merit, not gender is what should be considered. If every woman thought that she has the responsibility of raising kids or felt uncomfortable at the frontlines, then there wouldn’t be any great women achievers today.
Give chance to the willing
Col Amardeep Singh, SM (Retd)
Inducting women in branches other than medical in the Armed Forces has been going on since 1990s. There are roles in services and combat support arms where lady officers are performing commendably. The question is of Combat Arms. My view is, have the same qualitative requirements and tests and all those who meet those should be given a chance. But then, why only officers, why not join as other ranks, too? Restrictions like marriage and pregnancy should be spelt out and those willing should be allowed to. The Chief’s observations are also his concerns because of the mindset that our part of the world has about women. He is not sexist, but has spoken like an elder of society. I have served along with international armies under the United Nations where both men and women are equally represented in all ranks. Logistical constraints plus adjustment issues will be there, but those can be overcome. The issue of letting women fight the terrorists has to be answered by all of us, not just the Army Chief.
Not reasons, lame excuses
Maya Narasimhan, founder-secretary, Natpu
All the ‘reasons’ that General Bipin Rawat gives for not admitting women in combat roles in the Army are not reasons, but lame excuses for keeping the status quo. Any change in procedure in a supremely male bastion like the Army will mean educating and sensitising jawans, perhaps calling out senior officers for their prejudices and making them change their mindset first. The bottom line is that no woman should be denied the opportunity to enter any field of her choice due to her gender.
It’s not about being sexist
Nisha Jamwal, social thinker
Not everything is sexist. If a man is an army chief and has legitimate reasons for not taking women to the battlefront, it must be respected, even if it is conveyed in blunter terms than we are comfortable with. This is not about him being sexist, but about the fact that women are usually not physically as strong as a man trained in combat. I love to fight for the cause of women who don’t have equal opportunities in corporate jobs or education or government, and will continue to do so. But I cannot pretend to agree that they would always be as physically rugged as their trained male counterparts on a warfront or that changing in bunkers would be convenient.
