Indian Coast Guard informed the Supreme Court that integrating more women as permanent officers presents significant challenges due to the lack of ships designed to accommodate women.
The Indian Coast Guard informed the Supreme Court that integrating more women as permanent officers presents significant challenges due to the lack of ships designed to accommodate women. This statement was part of an affidavit filed in response to a petition by a female Coast Guard officer, Priyanka Tyagi, who is seeking permanent absorption into the force after her short service assignment ended in December last year.
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The Core of the Controversy
The affidavit, filed on March 6, highlights the infrastructural and operational hurdles in accommodating female officers on seaborne missions. The Centre and the Indian Coast Guard articulated,
“The existing infrastructure of the Coast Guard related to ships and bases need modification before female officers can be sent on seaborne missions alongside male officers.”
This admission has reignited debates on gender equality within the armed forces and the structural changes needed to facilitate this.
Senior advocate Archana Pathak Dave, representing the aggrieved officer, underscored the affidavit’s implications, stating,
“Their affidavit suggests that the ships are not designed to take women on board.”
This has led to a scenario where, despite the sanctioned billets, only a fraction are considered for women officers, primarily for shore assignments. The affidavit explains,
“The older ships were much smaller in size and could not provide for separate accommodation and allied facilities for women officers and therefore in future, the ships and bases will be modified.”
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, has taken a keen interest in the matter, agreeing to examine the affidavit closely. The court’s proactive stance comes after it previously labeled the exclusion of women from the Coast Guard as “patriarchal,” emphasizing that
“The times have gone when you said women cannot be in Coast Guard. If women can guard borders, they can even guard the coasts.”
The Centre has assured the court of its commitment to enhancing women’s participation in the Coast Guard, noting that 23 new ships have been designed with women’s accommodation in mind. However, it also pointed out the necessity for operational changes, such as training formats and working conditions, to make sea-going roles feasible for women.
“Only male officers are currently trained in sea-going duties… The existing women training curriculum excludes afloat training… Working conditions are required to be made conducive for women officers to work on board ships before further permanent entry is provided for women officers,”
the affidavit detailed.
The Case of Priyanka Tyagi
Priyanka Tyagi’s legal battle for permanent commission in the Coast Guard underscores a broader issue of gender parity in the armed forces. Appointed as Assistant Commandant in 2009, Tyagi’s career has been notable, including being part of the first-ever all-women crew on Dornier aircraft and saving over 300 lives at sea. Her petition not only challenges her personal career trajectory but also questions the broader policies regarding women’s roles within the Coast Guard.
As the Supreme Court prepares for further hearings, the case represents a critical juncture for gender equality within the Indian armed forces. The outcome could set a precedent for how women’s roles are defined and expanded in maritime security operations. The Indian Coast Guard’s efforts to modify ships and training protocols reflect a gradual shift towards inclusivity, yet the pace and effectiveness of these changes remain under judicial and public scrutiny.
In conclusion, the ongoing legal discourse around Priyanka Tyagi’s petition and the Indian Coast Guard’s operational capabilities highlights the complex interplay between gender, security, and modernization in India’s defense services. As the nation watches, the resolution of this case could herald a new era for women in the armed forces, marking a significant step towards true gender parity.
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