SOURCE: AFI
The funeral of Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was tragically killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, has sparked a heated controversy on social media platform X. A video showing women naval officers carrying Narwal’s casket during his military honors in Karnal, Haryana, has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters, igniting a broader debate about feminism, equality, and the role of women in the armed forces. The 26-year-old officer was among 26 victims of the attack, which occurred while he was on his honeymoon in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, just days after his wedding on April 16.
The controversy began when an X user, identifying as a former army officer named Lt Col Sumit Mohan Garg, posted the video with a scathing caption: “#Feminism and #Equality don’t work in a practical world. Who had the bright idea to showcase feminine power on such a sombre occasion and disrespect the departed soul. It also underlines the unsuitability of women in Armed Forces, where physical capabilities are critical.” The post, dated April 28, 2025, quickly gained traction, with some users echoing Garg’s sentiments. Another post by a user named @bhakti_sagara on April 29 called the decision “absolute stupidity,” questioning the practicality of women officers carrying the coffin and arguing that it highlighted inherent differences between men and women rather than equality.
The video appears to show the women officers initially struggling to lift the casket before male personnel step in to assist. Garg’s post further challenged the role of women in the military, stating, “Four of them couldn’t lift a coffin. How would they carry a wounded comrade and run for miles?” This narrative has fueled a wave of criticism, with some on X arguing that the incident reflects poorly on the integration of women into combat and operational roles, where physical strength is often paramount. The sentiment aligns with broader skepticism about women’s physical capabilities in the armed forces, a debate that has persisted despite women serving in various capacities in the Indian military for decades.
However, the backlash against Garg’s comments has been swift and fierce. Many netizens condemned his remarks as insensitive and misplaced, emphasizing that the women officers were likely Narwal’s coursemates, participating to honor their fallen comrade, not to “showcase feminine power.” One user on X countered, “Physical strength isn’t the only measure of a soldier’s worth,” while another pointed out, “I have seen women at construction sites lifting weights. Don’t say that women are not physically strong.” The criticism highlights a deeper tension: the assumption that physical strength alone defines military capability ignores the diverse roles women play, from logistics to intelligence, where mental acuity and resilience are equally critical.
The Indian Navy has not officially responded to the controversy, but its earlier statement expressed profound grief over Narwal’s death, with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and all personnel extending condolences to his family. The Navy’s focus remains on honoring Narwal’s sacrifice, yet the incident has brought to light persistent gender biases within military circles and society at large. Women have been serving in the Indian Navy since 1992, initially in non-combat roles, but their integration into combat positions has been gradual and often met with resistance. The 2020 Supreme Court ruling granting permanent commissions to women officers was a landmark step, yet attitudes like those expressed on X reveal the challenges that remain.
Critically, the controversy raises questions about the framing of equality. The assumption that women must match men in physical strength to prove their worth in the armed forces overlooks the broader contributions they make. Moreover, the incident at Narwal’s funeral may have been more symbolic than practical—carrying a casket during a military honor is a ceremonial act, not a test of operational fitness. Focusing on this moment to question women’s suitability in the military seems to detract from the real issue: the systemic barriers and stereotypes that continue to hinder gender integration in the armed forces.
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