Why gender equality in the Army and Navy but not in the Coast Guard ? : SC asks Govt

New Delhi – The Supreme Court has slammed the Union Government for not giving the post of ‘Commissioned Officer’ to women in the Indian Coast Guard. A commissioned officer is a member of the armed ranks. He has some critical powers. Women miss out on these rights as they are not given this position in the Coast Guard. While hearing the petition regarding this discrimination, the Supreme Court told the Union Government, ‘You speak of Nari Shakti (women power), now show it here. Why are you being so patriarchal ? You do not want to see the face of women in the Coast Guard ?’

Courtesy DNA India News

Priyanka Tyagi, an officer in the Indian Coast Guard, had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking permanent ‘commission’ for women in the Coast Guard. The bench of CJI D Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra heard this petition.

1. The Court added, ‘You have women in the Navy. What is so special about the Coast Guard ? What is so distinctive about the Coast Guard ? Times are gone when we said women cannot be in the Coast Guard. If women can guard the borders, they can guard the coasts as well.’

2. Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee represented the Union Government in the Supreme Court. Regarding non-permanent commission to women, he said the Coast Guard operates in a different domain compared to the Army and the Navy.

3. Priyanka Tyagi has been a pilot for 14 years as a ‘Short Service Appointment Officer’ in the post of Assistant Commandant. During her service, Tyagi saved more than 300 lives at the sea. With 4,500 flying hours, Priyanka is the most flown officer among both men and women in the armed forces. Despite her success, she was denied the post of permanent commissioner. Her services were terminated in December 2023.

4. Until 2020, women could serve in the Indian Army for a maximum of 14 years. A Supreme Court verdict in a case allowed women to get permanent commissioned posts in the Army. Women officers in the Air Force and Navy are already getting permanent commissioned posts.