RSS praises woman as defence pick, Jaitley says it sends ‘global message’

VRINDAVAN/NEW DELHI:The RSS on Sunday welcomed the appointment of Nirmala Sitharaman as the defence minister, calling it a “good decision”.

“It is a good decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We welcome her (Sitharaman),” senior RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya told reporters in Vrindavan.

Sitharaman was promoted and appointed as the defence minister, becoming the second woman to head the ministry after Indira Gandhi when she was the Prime Minister. Charge of defence was currently with finance minister Arun Jaitley, who, too, hailed the appointment, saying it sends “a message globally”.

“It is great for the country, not just for the women. It also sends a message globally,” said Jaitley, who had taken the charge of the ministry after Manohar Parrikar left the post to become Goa chief minister earlier this year.

Noting that the Cabinet Committee on Security would now have two women ministers, with Sitharaman joining external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Jaitley said: “Both ladies in CCS have established their competence, both are recognised as ladies with substance, who have earned a front-line position for themselves.”

Asked if women in combat could be a reality now, Jaitley quipped: “That was one area in which I wasn’t able to do much.”

Parrikar, too, congratulated Sitharaman . “Many congratulations to @nsitharaman Ji on becoming India’s next & first full time woman Defence Minister. Wish her all the best.”