Sometimes seemingly innocuous events can trigger major changes - burglars breaking into the Watergate hotel, Swedish radio breaking the news about kickbacks in the Bofors deal, among others. A relationship between a woman officer and a male sergeant in the Indian Air Force should not, ordinarily, fall into that category. But it yet might — and that should be welcomed. This episode could force the armed forces to reform its archaic manpower policies. It also throws up questions about the conflict between democratic aspirations, societal change and organisational imperatives, that need to be debated and addressed — not just by senior military officials but also by the wider civil society.

Other than the obvious professional conflicts of interest, there are questions about social propriety, unique to a military society, like Officer Mess interaction, and the ‘calling on’ tradition. Faced with such questions, the air force has reportedly decided to undertake a survey to capture the perceptions of all woman officers. But IAF and the armed forces in general should be faulted for not thinking through the consequences of inducting women into their organisations.

If it allows marriage between officers of different ranks — as it currently does — has it created adequate firewalls to prevent professional and social conflicts of interest? And how does it reconcile that with the personal, and legitimate, needs of a service couple to live together? As the number of woman officers’ increase, these are issues that are bound to come up and require the formulation of clear, and just, policies. The experience of other countries should be examined.

... contd.