![]() ![]() Perhaps this argument does not understand the dynamics of police officers’ job which is to enforce law and order, and a combat leader’s job which is to lead men into the jaws of death. Most often, I come across an argument that women police officers are doing as well as male police officers. Titles available on Pentagon Press and Amazon Therefore, women officers in combat arms and combat zones might not enjoy the same confidence and respect of their troops as would male officers. In this matter, India is at least, half a century behind western world. Their social values have not yet changed, and they still think in terms of male domination. It is immaterial whether they were matriculates, graduates, or post-graduates. It is this group, which even today provides resource for personnel below officer rank (PBOR). The other state is the rural poor still steeped into archaic social values where male gender dominates all affairs. Modern India, still lives in ‘two states.’ One is urbanised, globalised, and westernised India comprised of middle class, which mostly provides the officer cadre to the armed forces. Therefore, they must take off the self- righteousness gown which covers their cerebral tissues. Sometimes, Indian scholars and veterans also must think that they could go wrong in their convictions. Prompt was Russell’s response to say “No.” “Why,” asked the student? “For, you never know, I might be wrong,” was Russell’s reply. Once he was accosted by one of his students, who asked him, if he would like to die for the principles he held so dear to his heart. I am reminded of a British philosopher, Bertrand Russell. Precisely speaking, they are not prepared to look on the other side of our convictions. It is a fact that bulk of the veterans, most often, suffer from self - righteousness. But spare the combat arms and combat zones. They can also be posted in the President Body Guards etc. Well! If you want them as a ‘decorative ornament’ on ceremonial occasions, such as Republic Day, there is no harm. Therefore, gender equality may be a good idea in peace time environments or in technical/logistic roles in the rear areas but not in active and real combat roles. ![]() The unit CO asked me to have her sent back because she was a bad precedence for the morale of his soldiers. This girl, though physically fit, but was mentally not tuned to take stress of daily cross border firing and mounting casualties. The Commanding Officer of 28 Field Ambulance had sent a young female doctor as the Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) to a unit deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) in a high-altitude area (HAA). I was officiating Brigade Commander of 268 Infantry Brigade. I will draw a personal example from the Kargil Conflict (1999). A few drops do not make an ocean, and exceptions, as such, confirm the Sub continental social ethos, I have been pointing out. Now, do not give me examples of Rani Laxmi Bai, Razia Sultan or even of Chand Bibi. It does not give a due thought to gender equality. It is a copycat of western ethos and the same have been fully enshrined in it. The constitution of India is not based on the tenets of the Indian social stratagem. As such a woman commander in a combat role would be a catastrophe. In India, a man’s ego is still larger than his capabilities. Let us stop aping the west before fully getting globalised and attuned to this culture. The sub-continental social structure does not allow them this privilege. Women cannot be employed in executional leadership roles - however physically fit and trained they are. They cannot be seen commanding men in the field - but they can help formulating plans. They can do wonders in technical, logistics, intelligence, and staff duty roles.īut to expect them to perform better in combat roles is a fanciful dream. I have no hesitation in saying that women excel men in certain roles, and they can perform much better. I am not against women entering armed forces - they must enter for the roles which the female gender is most suited for. It is a judicious employability -each one according to his/her mental and physical capabilities. ![]() Not to allow women in the roles, they were not biologically suited, is not discrimination. In the name of ‘gender equality’ there is a raging debate within the armed forces to induct lady officers in the ‘combat arms’ and in ‘combat zones.’ Gender Equality is a misplaced notion when biological anatomy of male and female genders differs and differ extensively. ![]()
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