When Supreme Court Lauded Colonel Sofiya Qureshi While Allowing Women Permanent Commission In Army

That two women officers of different faiths - Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Air Force -jointly addressed the nation about 'Operation Sindoor' sent a powerful message of national unity and fraternity in the aftermath of the Indian military strikes on terror sites inside Pakistan. Given that the Pahalgam terrorist attack was also intended to communally polarise Indian society, the sight of these two officers leading the press briefing became a subtle yet potent symbol of harmony and resolve.It is noteworthy that in 2020, the Supreme Court specifically acknowledged the achievements of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi in its landmark judgment (The Secretary, Ministry of Defence vs Babita Puniya and others ) granting Permanent Commission to women officers in the Indian Army.While rejecting the Union Government's contention that women officers were unsuitable for Permanent Commission, the judgment authored by Justice DY Chandrachud highlighted the exemplary service of several Women Short Service Commission Officers. Among the twelve names cited, Qureshi's was mentioned first. Regarding her, the Court observed:"Lieutenant Colonel Sophia Qureshi (Army Signal Corps) is the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multi-national military exercise named "Exercise Force 18‟ which is the largest ever foreign military exercise hosted by India. She has served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006 where she, along with others, was in charge of monitoring ceasefires in those countries and aiding in humanitarian activities. Her job included ensuring peace in conflict affected areas."Women have brought laurels to the ArmyThe other women officers mentioned in the judgment are :Lieutenant Colonel Anuvandana Jaggi served as the Women's Team Leader of the United Nations Military Observers Team in the UN mission in Burundi. She was awarded the United Nations Force Commander's Commendation and an Appreciation Epistle from the Chief of Army Staff for her commendable effort.Major Madhumita (Army Education Corps) is the first woman officer in the country to receive the Gallantry Award (Sena Medal) for fighting Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan. Despite adversity, she continued and her speedy rescue and evacuation efforts saved many lives; andMajor Madhumita (Army Education Corps) is the first woman officer in the country to receive the Gallantry Award (Sena Medal) for fighting Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan. Despite adversity, she continued and her speedy rescue and evacuation efforts saved many lives; In September 2010, the Sword of Honour in the Officers Training Academy, Chennai (the only training center for SSC male and female officers) was given to Lieutenant A Divya amongst 170 male officers and 57 women officers;Major Gopika Ajitsingh Pawar was awarded the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal by the Secretary General of the United Nations in recognition of her role as a military member of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.Major Madhu Rana, Preeti Singh and Anuja Yadav were awarded the United Nation Medal completing the qualifying service as military members of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Captain Ashwini Pawar (Army Ordinance Corps) and Captain Shipra Majumdar (Army Engineer Corps) were awarded the Sewa Medal by the President of India in 2007In this backdrop, the Court stated, “ Women officers of the Indian Army have brought laurels to the force."The Court said that the argument that women, because of the nature of their biological composition and social milieu, have a less important role to play than their male counterparts, was “disturbing as it ignores the solemn constitutional values which every institution in the nation is bound to uphold and facilitate.” The Court noted that women officers from the Indian Army have been participating in the UN Peace Keeping Force since 2004 and have been deployed in active combat scenarios in Syria, Lebanon, Ethiopia and Israel.The Court also noted that in 2008, women officers were also made part of the Quick Reaction Teams, where women and male officers perform similar duties. Also, the Indian Army entrusts women officers with complex tasks of transporting convoys of between thirty to fifty vehicles in militant prone areas in Leh, Srinagar, Udhampur and the North East.In this backdrop, the judgment noted :"Their track record of service to the nation is beyond reproach. To cast aspersion on their abilities on the ground of gender is an affront not only to their dignity as women but to the dignity of the members of the Indian Army – men and women – who serve as equal citizens in a common mission".

When Supreme Court Lauded Colonel Sofiya Qureshi While Allowing Women Permanent Commission In Army

Manu Sebastian

Colonel Qureshi's achievements featured prominently in the Supreme Court's ruling that challenged gender barriers in the Army.