Army chief backs women officers after senior officer questions their ability to lead

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi has come out in support of women officers, saying they are performing exceedingly well and the force is looking at increase their numbers.

The chief’s remarks come days Lt General Rajeev Puri, a corps commander, wrote a five-page letter to Eastern Army Commander Lt General Ram Chander Tiwari listing a series of issues impacting army units commanded by women officers in the eastern sector. The letter, which questioned women’s ability to lead, kicked up  a storm.

"The letter which got leaked out, shouldn't have gotten leaked out. A court of inquiry has been ordered about it. It is a perception, it is his perception. He has all the right to give out that perception and comment," news agency PTI quoted the Army chief as saying at a news conference.

Lt Gen Puri wrote: "During the last one year, there has been an increase in the number of officer management issues in units commanded by women officers."

He wrote that most cases pertain to lack of tact and understanding of the personal requirements of unit personnel, especially officers.

The army started assigning women officers to command roles following a Supreme Court order in 2023. Several women officers are now helming units in forward locations, including in areas under the Northern and Eastern Commands.

With inputs from PTI