Role of women in army is not a new phenomenon. Their role in the army has been chronicled from culture to culture. There are many instances in history where women have taken leading role in the command in their respective armies. The oft-repeated story in India is that of Queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibai, who had said in1857 during the war against British, “Main apni Jhansi nahi dungi” (I won’t give up my Jhansi) personifies the grit and determination of womanhood as such which is further sustained by the Rani of Jhansi Regiment (RJR) of Azad Hind Fauj, known as Indian National Army (INA) of Netaji.
The role of women in the Indian army began when the “Indian Military Nursing Service” was formed during the Rule. During 1914–45, British Indian Army nurses fought in World War I (1914–18) and World War II (1939-45), where 350 British Indian Army nurses either died or were taken prisoners of war or declared missing in action.
Under the Army Act of 1950, women were ineligible for regular commissions except in “such corps, departments or branches which the central government may specify by way of notifications.” On 1 November 1958, the Army Medical Corps became the first unit of the Indian Army to grant regular commissions to women. Since 1992, women were first inducted in to various branches of Indian Army only in short service commission. In 2008, women were first inducted as permanent commissioned officers in Legal and Education corps; in 2020 they were first inducted in 8 more corps as permanent commissioned officers. As of 2020, out of total 23 corps, women are entitled to get coveted permanent commission in any corps but 6 those are: infantry, mechanized infantry, armoured corps, and artillery, Para, Pioneer, Remount and Veterinary Corps. It is learnt that the present Army Chief, General Manoj Pandey, is pursuing with the government to open the artillery for women soldiers.
Delay in inclusion of women in the army is more because of Indian orthodox culture where women were not expected to be seen beyond the four walls of the house than their physical or mental capability. In remote villages, women are seen to carry out arduous jobs as much as the male folk. Even today, there are many atrocities against women reported for their effort to break the barrier of unnecessary social confinement. Even as essential jobs as medical services, where scores of women were left to die as they were not permitted to be treated by male doctors, Dr Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi (31 March 1865 – 26 February 1887) was the first Indian female doctor of western medicine and first lady who passed the MBBS was Dr Kadambini Bose Ganguly to gain admission to Calcutta Medical College in 1884, subsequently trained in Scotland
However, the basic questions remain to be whether the women commanding officers would be able to do their jobs in field as effectively as that of men folk, especially at the battle field.
In contrary to any other jobs, let’s face it; the army is ultimately meant to fight direct combat which is place of destruction and killing. No mercy anywhere. Whoever is sharper and quicker to kill first is the winner or survivor, there is no second chance. Therefore the commanding officer, despite his corps will have to train his/her army to be able to destroy the enemy.
It is a fact that other than six fighting arms, other services are less exposed to the brutality of conflict. But war situation is completely different from the peace-time soldiering as we generally see. Having one odd officer posted in difficult area does not prove the rule. We have recent incidences of hand to hand fight in Galwan Valley and Arunachal Pradesh. Women commanders must be tuff enough to lead their men.
The most important part is to break the male prejudice against taking women as military leader as it has been a long-time preserve of male bastion. This prejudice can only be removed by showing exemplary command potential by women commanding officers.
There are definite social responsibilities women have to bear which may keep them away from the place of work for a longer time. This may make the issue little more different and additional load may fall on male officers of the team.
Delicacy of the female structure may have to be taken in consideration. Despite all gung-ho nature may be difficult be reversed. Many of us taking decisions may have not experienced what is the battle front.
But at the end lawmakers should be complimented as also the enthusiastic women soldiers for breaking the ice and going into most coveted service in protecting the country and demolishing the enemy.
