Ex-Army officer Sumit Mohan Garg has been facing the wrath of the Internet after making a controversial comment about female personnel participating in the military honours for Indian Navy officer Lt Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the recent Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.
The ex-Army man posted a video showing female Indian Navy personnel initially struggling to lift the officer’s coffin, before being joined by male personnel, adding that “feminism and equality don’t work in the practical world”.
“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?” he wrote while sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter). His post has clocked over a million views.
He added, “It also underlines the unsuitability of women in the Armed Forces, where physical capabilities are critical.”
#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.
— Lt Col Sumit Mohan Garg, SM (@garysum00) April 28, 2025
It also underlines the unsuitability of women in Armed Forces, where physical capabilities are critical. pic.twitter.com/dWuVdYBcx9
His jibe, however, didn’t go down well with netizens. Many said that his remarks are in “very poor taste” and that he should “consider deleting his post”.
“In very poor taste. Suggest delete. The pallbearers were likely his coursemates. It has nothing to do with feminism,” said one social media user.
Another added, “It isn’t about feminism or their inability to lift weights. It’s about the representation of women & their rights.”
“By that logic, are we disqualifying every male soldier who isn’t a bodybuilder, too? No? Then don’t move the goalposts for women,” commented a third.
A fourth posted, “I have seen women at construction sites lifting weights. Don’t say that women are not physically strong.”
The sister of the Indian Navy officer, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, got emotional during his last rites. She urged Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to ensure that justice is served, IANS reported.
“Let his soul rest in peace. We should be proud of him in every way. We will make him proud in every way,” Narwal’s wife, Himanshi, a PhD scholar from Gurugram, said.
Describing the Pahalgam horror, Himanshi had said, “I was eating bhel puri and my husband was with me. A person came and asked if he was a Muslim. When he denied, the man shot him dead.”
“I have come here to pay tribute to Vinay Narwal and meet his family. Those who have carried out the cowardly attack will not be spared… strict action will be taken against them. Vinay Narwal is a brave soldier…The Haryana government stands with Vinay Narwal’s family,” Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini told reporters.
The Haryana government has announced Rs 50 lakh ex gratia and a government job to the kin of the Indian Navy officer.