Rahul, Priyanka hails SC decision on women officers

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi on Monday hailed the apex court decision that women officers should get permanent commission in the armed forces and also stressed the necessity to change the mindset to "end gender discrimination".

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "the Govt disrespected every Indian woman, by arguing in the SC that women Army officers didn't deserve command posts or permanent service because they were inferior to men. I congratulate India's women for standing up & proving the BJP Govt wrong."

Praising the decision, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The historical verdict by the SC has given new wings to women, and the BJP government, which is against women, has got a befitting reply."

A Bench, headed by Justice DY Chandrachud, said there was no ground to deny women officers permanent commission and gave the Centre three months to implement the order.

Justice Chandrachud cited examples of leading women officers -- Captain Tanya Shergill and Captain Madhumita -- and also noted women officers' role as as convoy commanders in Leh and Udhamnagar.

The court said the women officers should also be eligible for command postings in army. It will benefit all Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers. "SSC women officers with less than 14 years, as well as beyond 14 years of service will be granted the permanent commission," the court observed.

The top court said there couldn't be absolute exclusion of women officers and they couldn't be ruled out for command assignments. It should be considered on case by case basis, it added.