Guest Column | Long Way to Go

Col T.S. Dalal (retd)

The debate over induction of Lady Officers in the combat arm of the Indian Army has been going on for a few years now. On one side of the table are the army men, who have the experience of combat environment, and on the other side are the women rights activists and those advocating the march of women towards equality. Ironically, the latter has no experience of job requirements but can make it a constitutional issue, with the help of the media. The former has no reach to the media due to restrictions on its Fundamental Rights.

The recent remarks of the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat has rekindled the debate.

It was interesting to read an article, in one of the dailies, making a fervent appeal to induct women in a combat role in the army. The appeal came from a police officer who has never been to combat. Army combat is not a law and order issue. It is also not an organised game, like the Asian games or Olympics and certainly not for misuse of freedom.

Combat is constant endeavour to prepare, always, to beat an enemy, be it across the border or within. Combat preparedness does not come through either constitutional rights or emotional histrionics. It demands leadership, to lead soldiers, who expect you to be better than him. There are no gender-based concessions when you face an enemy firing at you to kill. Ill-advised experiments are dangerous and can cost the nation since the security of the country is involved.

I have had the privilege of serving in Units with Lady Officers. Initially, the experience was full of apprehensions. But slowly we learnt to deal with situations as the time passed since they were peace-time adjustments.

The Lady Officers are sincere, keen to learn and hardworking. They have proved to be as goo