In a landmark judgment squashing gender inequality, the Supreme Court of India has cleared permanent commission for women in the Navy. The apex court said, “Male and women officers must be treated on par and stereotypes must be removed,” reports News18.
A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said denying permanent commission to women officers based on physiological conditions would result in the miscarriage of justice. The court said, “Women can sail with the same efficiency as male officers and there should be no discrimination.”
They mentioned how SSC (Short Service Commission) women officers, who have served the nation, also deserve a permanent commission. The SC pointed out there cannot be gender discrimination against women officers after the statutory bar was lifted by the Centre to allow entry of women.
“Once the statutory bar was lifted to allow entry of women officers then male and female officers are to be treated equally in granting permanent commission,” the court was quoted saying by the Times of India.
A permanent commission entitles an officer to serve in the Navy until they retire while the short service commission (SSC) lets them serve the nation for only a total of 14 years. The SC has now asked the navy to implement the permanent commission for women within three months, reports NDTV.
Many people applauded the SC’s decision to squash gender inequality:
First Army, now Navy: Supreme Court nods yes to permanent commission for women .
Heartily welcome the long awaited verdict towards progress and gender equality. #womenpower #BharatiyaNari #NariShakti https://t.co/Bb3RP0M1F0— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) March 17, 2020
A long due recognition for women officers in the Indian Navy. They have brought equal accolades to India and high time their contribution is granted permanent commission. #supremecourt @indiannavy @PMOIndia https://t.co/U5uzD9SGSx
— Dhanraj Nathwani (@DhanrajNathwani) March 17, 2020
This is called women empowerment
In #INDIA #women are ahead of everything 🙂— ViVek Verma (@Scout_ViVek) March 17, 2020
Excellent Order
Equality Must Be There Irrespective Of Status Caste Creed And Sex For True Development
SC okays permanent commission for women officers in Navy, says ‘cannot discriminate on basis of gender’https://t.co/cOXJ4J6dYP
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— Ramendra Nath Ray (@RamendraNathRay) March 17, 2020
Can't Deny Equal Opportunities: After Army, SC Grants Permanent Commission to Women in Navy https://t.co/si698xdXBi
— Swati Parashar (@swatipash) March 17, 2020
Another progressive ruling by the Supreme Court . Grants Permanent Comission to Women officers in the Navy.
Says women can SAIL with same efficiency as men and that there sld be no discrimination.
Waiting to hear from @indiannavy on this coz it will mean women on warships.
— Shreya Dhoundial (@shreyadhoundial) March 17, 2020
However, this is not the first time SC has taken a step towards gender equality. Earlier, they had ordered the centre to ensure that women officers are given permanent commission in the army as well. We applaud the progressive thoughts and actions of our apex court.