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Court rules New York Sikh student can serve in US army with beard and turban Court rules New York Sikh student can serve in US army with beard and turban
(about 1 hour later)
A Sikh college student from New York said Monday he is excited about a federal court decision that will permit him to enroll in the US Army’s reserve officer training corps without shaving his beard, cutting his hair or removing his turban. A Sikh college student from New York said Monday he is excited about a federal court decision that will permit him to enroll in the US army’s reserve officer training corps without shaving his beard, cutting his hair or removing his turban.
US district court judge Amy Berman Jackson issued the ruling Friday in Washington DC, saying 20-year-old Iknoor Singh’s adherence to his religious beliefs would not diminish his ability to serve in the military.US district court judge Amy Berman Jackson issued the ruling Friday in Washington DC, saying 20-year-old Iknoor Singh’s adherence to his religious beliefs would not diminish his ability to serve in the military.
“I didn’t believe it at first when I heard about the decision,” said Singh, who lives in the New York City borough of Queens.“I didn’t believe it at first when I heard about the decision,” said Singh, who lives in the New York City borough of Queens.
He told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday: “It was kind of surreal. This is something I have been fighting for for two or three years. I’m excited and nervous; very excited to learn.” He told the Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday: “It was kind of surreal. This is something I have been fighting for for two or three years. I’m excited and nervous; very excited to learn.”
Singh, who will be a junior next fall studying finance and business analytics at Hofstra University on Long Island, said he has had a lifelong interest in public service. He speaks four languages –English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu – and he said he wants to work in military intelligence. Singh, who will be a junior next fall studying finance and business analytics at Hofstra University on Long Island, said he has had a lifelong interest in public service. He speaks four languages – English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu – and he said he wants to work in military intelligence.
“Becoming an officer is not an easy thing,” he conceded. “You have to be proficient in many areas.”“Becoming an officer is not an easy thing,” he conceded. “You have to be proficient in many areas.”
Sikhism, a 500-year-old religion founded in India, requires its male followers to wear a turban and beard and keep their hair uncut.Sikhism, a 500-year-old religion founded in India, requires its male followers to wear a turban and beard and keep their hair uncut.
Under a policy announced last year, troops can seek waivers on a case-by-case basis to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices.Under a policy announced last year, troops can seek waivers on a case-by-case basis to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices.
Approval depends on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.Approval depends on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.
Currently, only a few Sikhs serve in the US Army who have been granted religious accommodations. Currently, only a few Sikhs serve in the US army who have been granted religious accommodations.
In her ruling, Jackson said, “It is difficult to see how accommodating plaintiff’s religious exercise would do greater damage to the Army’s compelling interests in uniformity, discipline, credibility, unit cohesion, and training than the tens of thousands of medical shaving profiles the Army has already granted.” In her ruling, Jackson said: “It is difficult to see how accommodating plaintiff’s religious exercise would do greater damage to the Army’s compelling interests in uniformity, discipline, credibility, unit cohesion and training than the tens of thousands of medical shaving profiles the army has already granted.”
An Army spokesman did not immediately comment on the ruling. An army spokesman did not immediately comment on the ruling.
Hofstra spokeswoman Karla Schuster said in a statement that the university “supports Mr. Singh’s desire to serve his country, as well as his right to religious expression and practice. We are pleased that the courts have affirmed that he can do both as a member of the ROTC.” Hofstra spokeswoman Karla Schuster said in a statement that the university “supports Mr Singh’s desire to serve his country, as well as his right to religious expression and practice. We are pleased that the courts have affirmed that he can do both as a member of the ROTC.”
Gurjot Kaur, senior staff attorney for the Sikh Coalition, said the decision was “an important victory in the fight for religious freedom. We urge the Pentagon to eliminate the discriminatory loopholes in its policies and give all Americans an equal opportunity to serve in our nation’s armed forces.”Gurjot Kaur, senior staff attorney for the Sikh Coalition, said the decision was “an important victory in the fight for religious freedom. We urge the Pentagon to eliminate the discriminatory loopholes in its policies and give all Americans an equal opportunity to serve in our nation’s armed forces.”