Supreme Court questions “patriarchal” mentality opposing induction of women in Coast Guard
New Delhi:
Giving an ultimatum to the Center on the issue of granting permanent commission to women Coast Guard officers, the Supreme Court today said “women cannot be left out” and “if you don’t do it, we will do it”. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud told the Centre’s counsel, “All these efficiency etc arguments do not matter in 2024. Women cannot be left out. If you don’t do it, we will do it. So take a look at that.” ” Attorney General R Venkataramani. The Centre’s counsel said he would ask the Coast Guard to file an affidavit.
The court has fixed March 1 for the next hearing. The petition in the case has been filed by a woman officer of the Coast Guard. In this, a demand has been made for permanent commission for eligible women officers joining the force under Short Service Commission. The Attorney General has argued that the Coast Guard is separate from the Navy and the Army.
The Center was pulled up during the last hearing in the case on February 19. The Chief Justice had then asked why there was “indifference” regarding the Coast Guard. He had said, “Why don’t you want women in the Coast Guard? If women can guard the borders, they can guard the beaches too. You talk about women power, show it here.”
The court had questioned the “patriarchal” mentality opposing the inclusion of women in the force. The Chief Justice had said, “You have women in the Navy, so what is special about the Coast Guard. We will open up the entire canvas. Gone are the days when we said women cannot be a part of the Coast Guard.”
Petitioner Priyanka Tyagi had earlier approached the Delhi High Court, but did not get relief. In her petition she has pointed to the Supreme Court decisions on permanent commission for women in the Army and Navy.
