Demolishing The Gender Barrier In NDA
November 21, 2021
Why women were not allowed to be a part of the NDA until recently
Arms and the Man: An insight into women and the NDA
Growing up, we have seen intensely patriotic films surrounding the Indian army release every few years, our chests swelling up with pride seeing young men fight bravely for their country. Yes, ‘men’ in particular because one cannot seem to recollect seeing female soldiers and colonels bravely protecting the country in large numbers. This event is, in fact, a reflection of the systemic and categorical exclusion that was the male-only National Defense Academy (hereinafter NDA) examinations, which have made it difficult for women to join and climb the ranks of the Armed Forces.
Ever since the conception of the NDA, only unmarried 16-19-year-old graduate males have been deemed eligible to sit for the qualifying exam conducted by the UPSC, a constitutional body. This event raises the question- Then, how do women join the armed forces? It is through another examination, the Short Service Commission (SSC) and after which they may be ‘considered’ for Permanent Commission (hereinafter PC) and then go for an additional 10 months of training.
However, in August 2021, Delhi-based lawyer Kush Kalra filed a writ petition against this archaic practise on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights- Article 14,15,16, which guarantee the Right to Equality and specifically prevents sex-based discrimination for public employment. It hopes to include women in the NDA, paving the way for even more women to join the Armed Forces.
In conversation with The Quint, senior officials such as Lt. Sandhya Suri spoke about the consequences of the induction of women in the NDA examination and subsequently directly for PC. Is India ready to be protected by its women? To shatter the opposite image projected in society?
The idea that women need to be protected by their fathers, husbands and sons is radically associated with the image of the Armed Forces, which initially did not even allow women in certain naval postings. Things have changed now and there is room for even more change. Senior officials argue about the low possibility of men accepting women leaders, the vulnerability of women to sexual harassment, lack of physical fitness and infrastructural drawbacks and believe such an environment is not conducive for women. However, these arguments are nothing but shallow and baseless. Most of these arguments are based on men’s discomfort none of which are due to the fault of women at large. A change in one’s outlook is required if the fragile Indian male ego is reluctant to take orders from women. Moreover, claims of possible sexual harassment are present not only in the Armed Forces but in every field of work. Infrastructural drawbacks have always been present and the SSC female officers have weathered every storm where there was a lack of privacy, security and hygiene and served their nation. Women soldiers have proven time and again that they do not need any sort of mollycoddling.
Similar issues were raised in the Babita Puniya case, wherein Babita Puniya filed a writ petition calling for the grant of PC for women in 10 non-combat posts and thus assuring them long-term job security as well as increasing their chances of incentives like pension and promotion.
The Supreme Court Bench led by Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy slammed the Armed Forces for their ‘policy decision’, which was solely based on gender discrimination. The Additional Solicitor General argued that two out of three modes of entry, the Indian Military Academy and the Officers’ Training Academy allow women. However, the question of even one mode of entry being left out solely based on gender is unacceptable.
Thus, on August 18th, an interim order was passed by the apex court permitting women candidates to appear for the NDA examination. The Centre had however asked till May 2022 for implementing ‘infrastructural changes’ before women are inducted via the NDA but the SC struck this plea down. At present, the NDA examination which was scheduled to be held in September 2021 has been postponed to November 14th 2021.
One can observe that it is not the Indian women who are not ready for the challenge but rather the Armed Forces themself. Throughout history, warfare and combat have been dubbed a ‘man’s job’, an essential part of macho-ism. But it is the man who has been responsible for heinous war crimes and leading countries to their death. The women, despite being labelled as ‘fragile’ and ‘hysterical’, have shown great courage and vigour while facing warfare. Thus, this watershed moment in helping women join the Forces may just help change the gruesome nature and occurrence of warfare altogether.
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