A senior army general has raised concerns regarding women officers in key command roles, particularly in the eastern sector, in a letter to Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari. The letter, written by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri, outlines several issues within army units led by women officers, ranging from officer management challenges to interpersonal conflicts. The five-page letter highlights concerns over women officers’ management styles, with complaints about a lack of empathy, over-ambition, and an alleged tendency to complain. Puri cites these issues as contributing to stress within the units and a strained command environment.
The letter also emphasizes a lack of tact and understanding among some women officers in addressing the personal needs of unit personnel, with conflict resolution often prioritized over mutual respect. Additionally, there were allegations of women officers overexploiting resources and claiming undue credit for achievements, while others were seen as lacking initiative. Puri suggested a focus on “gender neutrality” rather than “gender equality” to address these challenges.
The letter has sparked a significant reaction, with some women officers expressing disappointment over what they perceive as blatant sexism. Critics argue that the letter undermines the hard-earned progress of women in the military. Despite these concerns, Puri acknowledged that some women officers had filed complaints about their authority being disregarded, but he described these as “mundane” in comparison to the issues faced by their male counterparts.
This comes in the wake of a historic change in the Indian Army, where women officers were recently assigned command roles for the first time, following a Supreme Court order in 2023. Women are now leading units in operational areas, including those along the critical northern and eastern borders with China.
Puri’s letter has also pointed out instances of perceived misconduct, such as female commanding officers demanding excessive deference, and emphasized the importance of effective communication and a consultative approach in leadership. The general suggested that training and policy adjustments were necessary to improve command quality and to ensure gender-neutral practices in army assignments.
The Indian Army’s decision to open up command roles to women was made possible after the granting of permanent commissions in 2020. Women officers were recently promoted to the rank of select-grade colonel as part of an effort to create gender parity within the armed forces. Despite significant progress, some traditional barriers, such as serving in combat roles, remain in place for women in the military.
