We support inclusion of women in fighter squadrons: Parrikar

Backing the proposal to include women pilots in the fighter squadrons, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that there should be no disparity between the two sexes.

"Why can't women be a part of it? The procedure to come out with a policy for this is going on. Many difficulties arrive and keeping that in mind we will announce a policy soon," he said.

"In principle we support this. Yes, there can be operational and training problems, but except for that, I see no reason why women should not participate," he added.

He also elucidated that the policy would take time.

"If we take decisions without thinking about them, then there can be serious implications," said Parrikar.

"In principal we are for inclusion of both the sexes. No gender discrimination should be there. Except when there are operational and training problems," he added.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had yesterday announced plans of inclusion of women pilots in the fighter squadrons.

"We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters, we are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of the young women of India," Air Chief Marshal Raha said during his address at the celebrations of the 83rd Indian Air Force day.

Meanwhile, responding to a poser about the protest by the residents of Pakistan occupied Kashmir against the Pakistani Government, Parrikar said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken up this issue.

"It is a good lesson for the people in the valley who try to establish links with Pakistan. They should understand that democratic India is totally different from Pakistan. We have total freedom, unlike them," he said.

Television channel CNN-IBN, showed people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) protesting against the Pakistani administration and the army and were demanding freedom.

The protests were held in Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and Kotli.