Pooja Thakur, who led Barack Obama’s guard of honour, sues IAF

This is one controversy the Indian Air Force (IAF) could have done without. A lady wing commander, Pooja Thakur, who led the guard of honour for President Barack Obama in a much-televised event when he visited India in January this year, has approached the Armed Forces Tribunal for being denied a permanent commission.

Ms Thakur’s smart presence in the inter services honour parade, had prompted Mr Obama to remark later that the sight of “incredible” Indian women in the armed forces was one of his “favourite things” in India.

Ms Thakur, who did not respond to repeated phone calls and SMSes, has petitioned for a review of IAF’s “arbitrary” human resources policy.

Her lawyer Sudhangshu Pandey told this newspaper: “My client was denied permanent commission in June 16, 2016 when she applied for it. Earlier in 2012, she had said she didn’t want one but had reserved her rights to seek the commission at a later stage. Now citing administrative policies, the IAF is saying she cannot be given a permanent commission.”

Reiterating that it is not a gender issue, Mr Pandey said: “The IAF policy says that in case one’s option is not received then it will be assumed that the officer doesn’t need a permanent commission. So my client is also seeking a review of IAF’s human resources policy. Only a procedural requirement stands in my client’s way, how can the IAF impose such a policy without approval from the competent authorities ”

Ms Thakur’s petition reads: “ to re-consider the Applicant for permanent commission based on her revised option and if otherwise found fit on merit grant her such permanent commission with all the consequential benefits on that basis.”

In June this year, 52 IAF officers—25 of them women—had applied for a permanent commission. While 10 lady officers made it, Thakur was one of the two who didn’t.

An IAF source told this newspaper: “Thakur has been given several opportunities in the past to opt for a permanent commission which she had turned down. And a few days before her release from service, she applies for a permanent commission again. We have certain procedures to follow and have just followed a factual position.” (END)

Thakur had joined the IAF in 2001 in the administrative branch under a pre-rationalised five plus six years Short Service Commission scheme under which she would have the option of continuing for six more years after completing five years. The scheme was modified to a five plus six plus four years one in 2003, after the end of which an officer had the option to seek permanent commission.

“In 2012, Thakur explicitly expressed her unwillingness for a permanent commission,” the source added.

The IAF has now been given four weeks time to respond to the case and September 8 has been fixed as the next hearing date.