Major Priya Jhingan, Major Priya Jhingan Leadership Academy

MAJOR PRIYA SPEAKS ABOUT PERMANENT COMISSION OF WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES

(Published in The Times of India on 17th Feb 2020)
'Army has validated the capabilities of woman officers…… It should be ready to give them command positions'

In an ongoing case in the Supreme Court, the Central Government argued that women are not suitable for command posts in the army as male troops are not yet prepared to accept them. Priya Jhingan, the first lady cadet to join the Indian Army in 1992, was commissioned into the Judge Advocate General Branch. She talks to Ajay Sura about the issue:

In your experience is the government’s stand correct?

That was also the concern when women were being inducted into the Army in 1992. It took time but finally, the acceptance took place. Women have been Platoon Commanders and have commanded the respect of the men. There haven’t been many cases of insubordination by the men in the past, so this again is the hypothesis theory of the government.
The government cannot put up this argument because by doing so, it is giving the men the idea that not accepting a woman officer as a commanding officer is also an option. There are strict punishments for disobeying orders and the law does not discriminate against orders passed by a woman officer or a male officer. This has to be made clear.

What about the government’s stand citing physical and physiological limitations of women officers?

That women officers face physical and physiological limitations is just a figment of a few people’s imagination. The fact that men and women are undergoing the same period of training in the OTA and being trained in the same fields, there is no question that once they are trained, they will be physically as strong. Certain women are not as physically fit but then the same can be said about several males too. Women know and have been managing their physiological challenges positively for years. It is nothing to be ashamed of or be subjugated for. Not giving them command positions on this ground is absolutely irrational. The criteria for selection of a Commanding Officer should be the same, and if a female officer fulfils the conditions she should be so appointed.

Did you or your batchmates ever face any physical or physiological issues during your commission in the Army?

I am not aware of any of my batch mate’s experience, but I did face an incident wherein an inebriated jawan was found hiding in the guestroom that I was staying in. A Court of Inquiry was conducted and he was given punishment commensurate to the offence. The Army has adequate systems in place to penalize any acts of indiscipline

Your request to join the infantry division was not agreed to by the Army.

My Battalion Commander had said that “ Not you but may be your granddaughter will be able to join the Infantry.” Yes, it has been 28 years since then. I understand that it was an experimental exercise at that time, so his answer was apposite.
The experiment was successful, the results were positive and the contribution of women officers has been recognized and appreciated by the Army, so I think it should be ready to experiment once again by giving women officers command positions.

Has Permanent commission to women officers helped change the views about women in the Army?

Yes, by granting Permanent Commission the Army has validated the capabilities of the women officers and that in return has helped the women officers perform even better, knowing that their services have been recognized and that they are needed.
I never faced any incident of gender bias and believe that if a candidate is proficient in his field, then gender should not be the deciding factor. I think we need to sensitise our male population about it.

Military experts have said that the government on its stand is reminiscent of British colonial government’s bias against Indian commanders.

I think the government is just trying to stay safe, it is the case of who will ring the bell. There is no need to get overprotective of women and neither is the need to assume the men’s negative reaction to women Commanding Officers. If Ms Nirmala Sitharaman could be the Defence Minister and the three chiefs accepted her so, why are we considering that others will not? Why are we even debating it?

Is starting from giving women command positions in non-combat areas of the military the way forward?

I would go along with it, as it would amount to some kind of a beginning. Entrusting women officers with the duties of a Commanding Officer in non-combat areas will give a boost to the women officers and encourage them to have faith in the system. If even after having proved themselves for the past 28 years, they still have to work under the distrustful and sceptical eyes of the government, then there is something terribly wrong. One needs to trust them, give them equal opportunities and not pass judgment even before a trial.

In India, women drop out because of several constraints. Can this be controlled?

Indian women have a strong sense of duty and sacrifice. Many a times, when they start a family, they are compelled to sacrifice their jobs. We don’t need to control this, as it is a very personal decision any woman takes depending on her circumstances.

"One Finds Limits By Pushing Them"-Herbert Simon

"One Finds Limits By Pushing Them"
-Herbert Simon