“You often talk about ‘women’s power, women’s power.’ Now, it’s time to demonstrate that here. You’re in a challenging situation… Why maintain such a patriarchal stance that you’re opposed to women joining the Coast Guard? What’s so unique about the Coast Guard? We’re ready to broaden the perspective. The era when we said women couldn’t serve in the Coast Guard is over. Women are capable of defending the borders. Women can also protect the coastlines,” the Court stated.
NEW DELHI: On Monday (8th April): The Supreme Court of India questioned the Central Government’s resistance to granting permanent commission (PC) to Women Short Service Appointment (SSA) officers in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The court’s bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressed its concern over the Coast Guard’s non-compliance with the directives to grant permanent commission to women officers.
Background
The matter followed denying permanent commission to women officers in the Coast Guard. In February, the Supreme Court criticized the Central government’s stance and emphasized that the Coast Guard should align itself with the Army and Navy in granting permanent commission to women officers.
“The Court observed in its order that, regrettably, the Indian Coast Guard still stands as an exception when it comes to adhering to the instructions for awarding permanent commissions to female officers.”
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court noted that the Indian Coast Guard remained an outlier in terms of complying with the directives to grant permanent commission to women officers.
The court engaged in an exchange with the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), Vikramjit Banerjee, who represented the Central government.
The ASG argued that other candidates on the shortlist should also be considered for permanent commission, suggesting that granting it to one officer would be unfair. However, the court responded by emphasizing the need to lead the way and support gender equality, stating that others in similar positions would also benefit in due course.
The dialogue led to an interaction with Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Vikramjit Banerjee, who represented the Central Government.
“The instant petitioner benefited from being able to appeal to this Court; others are also waiting on the list,” ASG Banerjee stated.
“The judiciary must lead by example and progress alongside the nation. Once, women were barred from the legal profession or becoming fighter pilots, but that has changed,” the Court countered.
“It’s unfair for one individual to gain an advantage over others who are in similar positions,” ASG Banerjee continued.
“Consider the opposition faced by a woman trying to enter the Coast Guard,” the Chief Justice of India (CJI) shot back.
The Central Government’s argument that the Coast Guard operates in a different domain compared to the Army and Navy was countered by the court, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities across all branches of the armed forces.
The Supreme Court‘s previous judgment in Babita Punia, where it held that women Short Service Commission officers are entitled to Permanent Commission at par with their male counterparts. The court’s emphasis on gender equality and equal opportunities for women in the armed forces.
“You often talk about ‘women’s power, women’s power.’ Now, it’s time to demonstrate that here. You’re in a challenging situation… Why maintain such a patriarchal stance that you’re opposed to women joining the Coast Guard? What’s so unique about the Coast Guard? We’re ready to broaden the perspective. The era when we said women couldn’t serve in the Coast Guard is over. Women are capable of defending the borders. Women can also protect the coastlines,” the Court stated.
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