‘An embarrassment for the country’: Twitter reacts to army chief Bipin Rawat’s sexist comments
New Delhi, Dec 16: Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat triggered outrage on Saturday when he listed a string of sexist reasons for keeping women out of combat roles in the army.
In an interview with News18, Rawat claimed that women are not ready for combat roles because army men, who largely come from small villages, would not be willing to accept a female commander. He also claimed that women could die in combat, and Indian families are not yet ready to deal with the sight of women’s bodies returning from war zones. Implying that a woman’s primary responsibility is childcare, Rawat said that the army would not be able to give a woman commanding officer six months of maternity leave. He added that there would be a “ruckus” if women were denied that maternity leave.
In a bizarre statement, he also claimed that women in combat roles, surrounded by “100 jawans”, would inevitably complain about men peeping into their tents while they would be changing their clothes. “She will say somebody is peeping, so we will have to give a sheet around her,” he said.
Predictably, social media users reacted with indignation and disgust as they slammed Rawat’s statements.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat said women are not ready for combat roles, explaining that they have the responsibility of raising kids and a woman officer would feel uncomfortable at the frontline and accuse jawans of peeping as she changes clothes.
— dibyendu das (@Dibyendu69) December 16, 2018
What the Hell!
Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat says women can't be given an opportunity for combat roles because they would accuse male Jawans of peep. Right now, he is being a major embarrassment for the country. #VijayDiwas
— Vishnukant Sharma (@vishnukant_9) December 16, 2018
Rawat’s comments about army men behaving like Peeping Toms drew the most of the ire on Twitter:
. @adgpi Bipin Rawat says women can't be given combat roles for fear they might accuse male jawans of sexual harassment, coz "even in Delhi, ladies tell me that people peep". Like sexual harassment & pregnancy are a design flaw in women!! Regressive BS. https://t.co/yaVYDcThF6
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) December 15, 2018
Army chief bipin rawat just called every army man a pervert. How tragic for us Indian women that the men are also aware that women have no guarantee of safety anywhere. Not even at a workplace where integrity,character are apparently valued. #shameful https://t.co/lYbgRFeNj3
— Saileena (@saileenas) December 15, 2018
Army Chief Bipin Rawat is worried about soldiers like him being unable to give women privacy. Which happens when men with no intelligence or education join the Army as a last resort.
— lindsay pereira (@lindsaypereira) December 15, 2018
So according to Gen #BipinRawat women in the Army are not given combat roles because...They will complaint that Jawans are peeping while they change clothes.
— Jio Graduate (@roflchaiwala) December 15, 2018
No,I am serious.He said that in an exclusive interview (1/n) pic.twitter.com/vVREmprV36
Some Twitter users expressed anger at Rawat using men’s “comfort” as an excuse for keeping women out of combat roles:
#BipinRawat says he doesn't have a problem with women combats but the army will. TOH?
— Ayesha Bashir (@bashirayesha10) December 16, 2018
He says Indian men will not accept being led by a woman. TOH? Mardo ke comfort ke chakkar main kab tak opportunities deny karoge? #WomeninCombat
Meanwhile, some Twitter users are waiting for the end of Bipin Rawat’s term as army chief.
@adgpi when's Bipin Rawat resigning? Like, what's the exact date?
— Vasudha Passi (@vasudhapasse) December 16, 2018
How many months to his retirement? He has now started embarrassing himself and the #IndianArmy. If he actually said that, it is shocking!
— Jaskirat Singh Nagra (@jsn4x4) December 16, 2018
Can't Give Women Combat Roles, There Will be Ruckus When Maternity Leave is Denied: Army Chief Bipin Rawat https://t.co/Db40dSkBQV
Courtesy: scroll.in
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
