Women officers 'not fit' for combat roles in military: Indian army chief

General Rawat says women have responsibility of raising children... male soldiers may not accept a woman leading them

The Indian army chief has said that women military personnel are not 'fit' to be considered for combat roles within the army.

Speaking to News18 on Saturday, General Bipin Rawat cited several reasons to back his claim, such as women having the responsibility of raising children and being the caregivers for their families.

There aren't any women currently serving in front-line combat positions within the Indian army, he added. "A woman would feel uncomfortable at the front-line.

The military chief also accused soldiers of peeping when their female comrades change their outfits.



Gen Rawat reiterated that he was ready to introduce women to combat roles, however the army may not be, as "most soldiers come from villages and they may not accept a woman officer leading them."

He also highlighted maternity leave as an issue for serving women officers. "She [a woman officer] can’t leave her unit for six months, but objecting to the said leave could create a ‘ruckus’.”



The army chief added that if he made a woman a commanding officer, she can’t be away from her duty for six months.

Responding to a question Gen Rawat said that if a woman with children dies in a combat role, and her body comes back in a body bag, "our country is not ready to see that."

This story initially appeared in News18