Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has slammed the Centre, saying its opposition to command postings for women was regressive and an insult to them. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party hailed the Supreme Court’s judgment directing the government to grant permanent commission to women officers in the Army as ‘historic.’
In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday directed that women officers in the Army be granted permanent commission and command postings, rejecting the Centre’s stand of their physiological limitations as being based on ‘sex stereotypes’ and “gender discrimination against women.”
The Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, termed the Supreme Court order a victory of ‘woman power’ and said the Centre needs to change its attitude and vision. The apex court’s verdict meant there was a problem in the Central government’s ‘mental frame,’ it said.
“The Supreme Court said there can be no gender bias when it comes to bravery and sacrifice. The verdict is the victory of women power. It is shocking that the central government should question the physical capacity and mental strength of women,” it said.
Citing the examples of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, Maharani Tarabai, Rani Chennamma and Ahilyabai Holkar, the Sena said these women displayed exemplary courage and bravery on the battlefield.
“Who can forget Captain Lakshmi Sehgal of the Indian National Army? The central government should change its attitude and vision,” the party said.
It also highlighted how Swati Mahadik, the wife of Colonel Santosh Mahadik, and Kanika, wife of Major Kaustubh Rane, followed in the footsteps of their martyred husbands. “They have gone through all physical tests,” the editorial said.
