LI Network
Published on: November 25, 2023 at 17:59 IST
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken cognizance of a plea urging the Union government to adopt gender-inclusive language in reference to ex-service personnel instead of the current term “Ex-service man” for certain schemes and benefits of the Central Government.
The petition argues that even the nomenclature used in the title of the department, established to focus on the welfare and resettlement of ex-service personnel, is gender-specific—namely, “Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare.” The same gender-specific terminology is noted in rules governing reservation for ex-service personnel, specifically the “Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979.”
Considering the presented arguments, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta issued notice to the Union government and other relevant authorities.
The petition, filed by retired Short Service Commissioned Officer Captain Sukhjit Pal Kaur Sanewal through Advocate Navdeep Singh, seeks directives to the Central government to use gender-inclusive language when referring to former women members of the defence services, replacing the current term ‘Ex-Service man’ used in policies and communications.
The plea points to the Karnataka High Court’s intervention in the matter in Priyanka R Patil v. Kendriya Sainik Board [WP No.19722 of 2021].
The Karnataka High Court had recommended changes in the nomenclature used for retired army, navy, and air force personnel, suggesting the use of the term ‘ex-service personnel’ instead of ‘ex-servicemen’ in policy-making endeavors by the Union and State Governments.
Referring to the Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes issued by the Supreme Court, the plea emphasizes the need to identify and eliminate the use of words and phrases laden with gender stereotypes in judgments and court language.
Additionally, the petition cites countries like the UK, the USA, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, which have already embraced gender-neutral terminology when addressing individuals who served in the military.
The matter is scheduled for further consideration on January 25.
Case Title: Captain Sukhjit Pal Kaur Sanewal (Read.) v. UOI & Ors.