The Hindu : National : Suspend Army Vice-Chief, says Sushma

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Monday, Jun 19, 2006

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National

Suspend Army Vice-Chief, says Sushma

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj on Sunday demanded suspension of Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. K. Pattabhiraman for his reported remarks that the Army could do without women.

"If I were the Defence Ministry, I would have called the Vice-Chief and told him we can do without you and you can go," Ms. Swaraj said. His remarks reflected the working of the Army and its mindset, she said. Army officers should create a conducive atmosphere for women in the force instead of making such remarks, she added.

Expressing concern over the alleged suicide of army officer Lt. Sushmita Chakraborty, Ms. Swaraj said being a woman, Congress president Sonia Gandhi should ascertain the facts and issue necessary directions. She said she would go to Bhopal and meet Lt. Chakraborty's family.

Reacting to the AIIMS stand-off, the former Union Health Minister urged President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene and resolve the crisis.

Referring to Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss' remarks that the AIIMS Director may quit if he wanted, Ms. Swaraj said being a doctor himself, he should respect the dedication and commitment of doctors. The Prime Minister should become the Chairman of AIIMS to avoid such conflicts.

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