MyVoice: Views of our readers 19th February 2020

A supreme decision

The supreme decision on ending gender bias in the armed services and advising the central govt to treat equally women with men even in the command postings is really sensational.

The Supreme Court hasto be appreciated for putting an end to a nearly decade-old issue pending judgement. No doubt, the centre has represented the case as per biological facts involving females at different points of time vis-a-vis the difficult border areas etc. but the judiciary has decided the issue purely on the basis of law.

Customs and practices are on one side and law is on other side which the Supreme court under-lined.

Undoubtedly the women in fact have surpassed men in several activities including sports let alone in achieving employment after education and definitely all the women army officers will scale much more new heights even in protecting our nation from external dangers as per this bold decision of Supreme Court.

Katuru Durga Prasad Rao, Hyderabad

Landmark verdict

Hats off to the top court of the country for its landmark verdict making women army officers eligible for permanent commissions and allowing them to occupy commanding roles in army.

The judgement has brought to an end the inaction and negligence on the part of the Centre that had been dragging its feet on the issue despite a 2010 Delhi High Court order.

The order will also remove certain discriminations in the army being so far confronting women officers. The ruling should be hailed as a great leap towards equality in army. Our constitution is strongly based on equality.

Denying opportunities to the fair-sex on the ground of gender is against ethos of the Constitution. Right to equality is different from right to rationality. Now the army is bound to frame guidelines equal for both men and women in the force.

E Sethuramalingam, Kollam

A gender-sensitive judgement

That the apex court directing the central government to facilitate the granting of permanent service commission for woman officers in Armed Forces on par with the male officers and making them eligible to hold command duties is historic.

The order is directed at to correct the age old gender bias, institutionalised not only in the military, but also in the Indian psyche. The irony is that goddess Durga, Satyabhama and many other are adored as leaders of war in Indian mythology.

Jhansi Lakshmi and many brave souls in Indian history are admired by all. Still the institutions stereotype women as weak beings,not fit to carry on tough tasks, despite examples are aplenty in contrary. Now the gender- sensitive verdict has shown the way to dismantle patriarchal mindset in our society.

D V G Sankararao, Nellimarla

Many hindrances to cross

The Supreme Court judgement that all women officers in the army shall be considered for permanent commission and be eligible for command posting marks a step towards gender equality in the army and it indicates that women have to take on superior responsibilities commensurate with their capabilities The verdict serves as a serious criticism of the Centre's arguments against giving women command posts.

However, the Supreme Court's verdict poses serious challenges to the army. For one, the force has till now restricted grant of PC to women officers to legal and education branches that do not involve command and control of male troops. Further, the army has neither trained women officers for command nor given them the responsibility.

Women officers have been trained only as support cadre staff. Also, the army which is deployed along the borders has limited number of peace station postings. The SC verdict will pave the way for establishing equality of women in the army. On the other hand , there are many hindrances in the path.

Venu G S, Kollam

Needless din

The Indian Railways under BJP government is needlessly creating unwarranted controversy to create a religious divide by claiming that puja space on Mahakal express is temporary.

Even in the past when new train got inaugurated, pujas were performed before some politician flagging off the new train and none have objected to such ritual.

It is strange that they have allowed a puja space at side upper berth on the Kashi Mahakal Express flagged off by PM Modi on February 16 through video conferencing.

The Indian Railways belongs to all section of people and berths are not reserved based on religion .It is a different side berth in our trains are nothing but for railways to make extra money so it is better to serve the seat only for "Pujas"! ( Berth reserved for Puja space on Mahakal Exp 'temporary' , 18 Feb).

N Nagarajan, Hyderabad