When SC Praised Colonel Sofiya Qureshi While Granting PC To Women Officers In The Indian Army

Operation Sindoor

In a striking display of solidarity and resolve, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force—two officers from different faiths—jointly addressed the nation to outline Operation Sindoor.

Their unified appearance sent a clear message that, despite attempts to sow discord, India’s armed forces stand firmly together.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack—designed to inflame communal tensions—the sight of these women leaders underscored the military’s collective harmony.

Colonel Qureshi’s Trailblazing Path Recognised By The Court

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has long exemplified the very best of India’s military. In its groundbreaking 2020 decision in The Secretary, Ministry of Defence vs Babita Puniya and Others, the Supreme Court cited her record while extending Permanent Commission to women officers. Rejecting the government’s stance that women were inherently unsuited for long-term service, the Court highlighted Qureshi’s achievements:

She became the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent in Exercise Force 18, India’s largest-ever multinational drill.

In 2006, she served in the UN Peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she oversaw cease-fire monitoring and coordinated humanitarian relief.

As the judgment observed, “Lieutenant Colonel Sophia Qureshi … is the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multi-national military exercise named ‘Exercise Force 18’ … Her job included ensuring peace in conflict-affected areas.”

Legacy Of Distinguished Service By Women Officers

Supreme Court’s ruling also celebrated other female officers whose courage and competence have greatly distinguished India’s armed forces:

Lt. Col. Anuvandana Jaggi commanded the Women’s Team in the UN mission to Burundi, earning both the UN Force Commander’s Commendation and an Appreciation Epistle from the Chief of Army Staff.

Major Madhumita of the Army Education Corps became the first woman to receive the Sena Medal for gallantry, for her actions against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, where her rapid rescue operations saved numerous lives.

In 2010, Lt. A. Divya clinched the Sword of Honour at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai—beating out 170 male and 57 female peers.

Major Gopika Ajitsingh Pawar was decorated with the UN Peacekeeping Medal for her service with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

Majors Madhu Rana, Preeti Singh, and Anuja Yadav each received the UN Medal for their tenure in the DRC.

In 2007, Captains Ashwini Pawar and Shipra Majumdar were awarded the Sewa Medal by the President of India.

Women In Combat & Quick Reaction Roles

Since 2004, women officers have operated under the UN banner in theatres such as Syria, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and Israel. From 2008 onward, they have joined Quick Reaction Teams, performing identical roles to their male counterparts—escorting large convoys through insurgent-prone areas in Leh, Srinagar, Udhampur, and the Northeast.

Upholding Constitutional Values & Equality

The Supreme Court concluded that disparaging women’s capacity on the grounds of biology or societal norms “is disturbing” and contradicts India’s constitutional ideals. It affirmed:

“Their track record of service to the nation is beyond reproach. To cast aspersion on their abilities on the ground of gender is an affront not only to their dignity as women but to the dignity of the members of the Indian Army—men and women—who serve as equal citizens in a common mission.”

As India’s first woman-led joint military briefing illustrates, the ethos of unity and equality remains the bedrock of the nation’s defense—transcending faith, gender, and region.

(Inputs By Sambhav Sharma)