BJP Disrespected Women By Arguing They Can’t Be Given Command Posts In Army: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Narendra Modi-led BJP government of disrespecting Indian women by arguing in the Supreme Court that they didn’t deserve command posts or permanent service because they were inferior to men. The former Congress president also hailed the courage of the women, who stood up against the government and proved it wrong.

"The government disrespected every Indian woman, by arguing in the SC that women Army officers didn’t deserve command posts or permanent service because they were inferior to men," he wrote on Twitter and shared a report that the Supreme Court has directed the government to grant permanent commission to women in the Army.

His sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also slammed the government over the issue and said that the landmark judgment by the Supreme Court was a befitting reply to the prejudice of Modi government towards women. "The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court has given new wings to the flight of women of the country. Women are capable - in the Army, in valour and in water, land, sky. This is a befitting reply to the prejudice of Modi government, which is opposing the women's power," Priyanka said in Hindi.

Also Read | Education Brings Arrogance Which Results In Families Falling Apart: RSS Chief

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Allows Permanent Commission Posts For Women In Indian Army

The remarks of the Congress leaders came after the Supreme Court cleared way for the women officers to hold command posts in the Indian Army on Monday. The top court ruled that the order must be complied within next three months. Reading out the judgment, Justice DY Chandrachud termed, "induction of women in army as an evolutionary process as he narrates the history."

The top court said that "women can't be totally ruled out for command assignments and that they will be considered on a case by case basis." In the landmark ruling, the apex court said that, "all terms of appointments of women officers in the Army shall henceforth be same as their male counterparts. Women officers shall be entitled to all consequential benefits as per the order. These will include even those who have even retired."

"Physiological features of women have no link to their rights," the Supreme Court said. It also added that 'mindset must change'. At present, women are allowed in select areas such as the medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Indian Army.