After “No Women on Frontlines” Comment, Twitter Schools Army Chief

Indians tore into Army Chief Rawat’s statement about women, with reactions ranging from anger to embarrassment.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat triggered outrage after he defended the decision to not allow women on the front lines of the Indian Army’s operations, citing reasons including “she’ll have to be given maternity leave,” and “what if she complains about other officers peeping” when she’s in the barracks.

Of course, citizens took to Twitter to express their outrage at the army chief’s statement. The reactions ranged from embarrassment, to puzzlement, and unbridled rage.

My goodness! General Rawat is a major, major embarrassment! A woman officer will complain that jawans peep into her hut while she changes clothes and therefore women cannot be given combat roles, says the chief of Indian Army. My ears are red reading this. https://t.co/ZLL63kAzkT

— Manimugdha Sharma (@quizzicalguy) December 15, 2018

Hey @adgpi you realise you're saying women accusing colleagues of sexual harassment, whether in Delhi or elsewhere, amounts to spreading indiscipline which Army can't tolerate? Men are bound to "peep", sexually harass if women are around? Sabarimala argument in Army? https://t.co/b1LeS34BO5

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) December 15, 2018

Women are serving in armed forces all over the world in active combat roles efficiently and effectively.
Our perspective is clouded by our so called religious,cultural,traditional rituals and values which perpetrate and perpetuate Patriarchy#SmashBrahminicalPatriarchy

— SARATH RAJAN (@sarathrajan999) December 15, 2018

Our first Army Chief who has openly declared that Indian army jawans are lecherous & cheapsters to the core. Till now we all were made to belive that Indian army is the most professional & disciplined force in the world.

What a morale booster for our brave & patriotic army!!!!

— Nishant Pant (@nishantpant_in) December 16, 2018

By calling Army jawans as peeping toms, #GeneralRawat makes a strong frontal assault on the respectability of one of the world's most disciplined armies.#Respect🙄https://t.co/1yGBrxIwHF

— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) December 16, 2018

How many rounds will General Rawat last in a boxing match with Mary Kom?

— Ashutosh Das (@statueofpolity) December 15, 2018

Gen Rawat - Women fight in front-line combat positions in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Eritrea, Israel, and North Korea. Don't they raise kids & take maternity leave?

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) December 15, 2018

In his interview with CNN News18, Rawat added that the country “wasn’t ready to see women in body bags.”

Of course, the reactions weren’t all critical of the Army Chief’s remarks. A number of people came out in support of the statements made by Rawat.

Gen. Rawat has stated truth of Indian society prevelent at the moment.
India has not become America. India does not want to be like America. Bharat is much more complex & has a long history of tradition and religion. It takes guidance from there.

— Dharamvir Singh (@DharamvirSD) December 15, 2018

REALĹY APPRECIATE THE LOGIC...ABSOLUTELY TRUE...Good decision Gen. Bipin Rawat sir. @adgpi

"Country not ready to see women in body bags: Army chief on difficulties of putting women in combat role" https://t.co/sP0irVHRvo

— Bishwajeet Das (@captain_jeet) December 16, 2018

(With inputs from CNN News18)