“If you don’t, we would…”: Supreme Court reminds Centre of its vow for “Nari-shakti” Amidst the Growing Demand for Permanent Commission for Women Coast Guard Officers

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Monday asked the Central government to guarantee permanent commission for eligible female officers in the Indian Coast Guard. He warned that if the government fails to act, the Supreme Court will have to intervene accordingly.  "You speak of 'Nari shakti'. Now show it here," noted the apex court.

“All these functionality etc argument does not hold water in the year 2024. Women cannot be left out. If you do not do it, we will do it. So take a look at that,” observed the CJI while hearing the plea of Priyanka Tyagi, a female officer in the Coast Guard, seeking permanent commission for eligible women short-service commission officers in the force.

The bench looked into the observations made by Attorney General R Venkataramani's remarks regarding operational challenges in granting permanent commissions. The Attorney General also argued that the Coast Guard is different from that of the Indian Army and the Navy.

The Supreme Court directed the ICG to create a board that looks into such concerns while highlighting the necessity of female representation on the board.  ““You speak of ‘nari shakti’ (woman power). Now show it here. You are in the deep end of the sea in this matter. You must come up with a policy which treats women fairly, “observed the SC bench.

The Supreme Court had previously pulled up the center and stressed on the importance of a policy from the maritime force that ensures equitable treatment of women. "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," noted the bench.