Army Command Roles For Women: Shot In The Arm For Gender Justice

In a watershed moment for the Indian Army, the Supreme Court ruled in the favour of equal rights in the armed forces. In a landmark decision the top court ruled that female officers should be granted permanent commission and command positions, on par with men. Currently, female officers can serve for only 10 to 14 years in the Indian Army. So the court's ruling does not permit women to serve in army combat units, like the infantry or artillery corps, but they are now eligible to command entire battalions or head the intelligence department. The decks have been cleared for women in higher ranks in non-combat roles. What are the implications of the Supreme Court's order granting permanent commission to women on a par with men? Is this not just a big step for gender parity in the army but for all of India? The rumblings that we are hearing is that of patriarchy crumbling?