New Delhi: In a stern rebuke to the Indian Coast Guard’s coverage of not granting a everlasting fee to eligible girls officers, the Supreme Court on Monday asserted that “women cannot be left out” and warned the federal government, saying, “If you do not do it, we will do it.” Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud dismissed the federal government’s arguments, stating, “All these functionality etc argument does not hold water in 2024. Women cannot be left out. If you do not do it, we will do it. So take a look at that.” The court docket set March 1 because the date for the following listening to, directing the Centre’s counsel, Attorney General R Venkataramani, to make sure the Coast Guard recordsdata an affidavit promptly.
Attorney General’s Response
The petition, filed by a lady officer of the Coast Guard, seeks a everlasting fee for eligible girls officers becoming a member of the power below quick service fee. Attorney General Venkataramani, representing the Centre, assured that the Indian Coast Guard would submit an in depth response quickly, acknowledging the distinctive nature of Coast Guard service in comparison with the Navy and Army.
SC Questions Government’s ‘Indifference’
During the earlier listening to on February 19, the Chief Justice questioned the federal government’s “indifference” in the direction of the Coast Guard, emphasizing the necessity for gender equality. “Why don’t you want women in the Coast Guard? If women can guard the borders, they can also guard the beaches. You talk about Nari Shakti, show it here,” the CJI remarked, difficult the patriarchal mindset opposing the induction of girls into the power.
Challenging Patriarchal Mindset
The high court docket criticized the “patriarchal” mindset opposing the induction of girls into the power, emphasizing that occasions have modified. “You have women in the Navy, so what’s special about the Coast Guard? We will open up the whole canvas. Gone are the days when we said that women cannot be a part of the Coast Guard,” the Chief Justice declared.
Petitioner’s Struggle For Recognition
The petitioner, Priyanka Tyagi, a seasoned officer with 14 years of service within the Indian Coast Guard, had beforehand approached the Delhi High Court with out success. Despite her important contributions, she has been denied a everlasting fee, main her to method the Supreme Court. In her plea, Tyagi has referenced earlier Supreme Court judgments on everlasting fee for ladies within the Army and Navy, searching for parity for ladies officers within the Coast Guard.
