ID :
65863
Mon, 06/15/2009 - 17:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/65863
The shortlink copeid
Sikhs challenge US Army`s ban on turbans, beards
Dharam Shourie
New York, June 15 (PTI) Two Sikh US army officers,
hoping to go on active duty, have challenged a three-decade
old rule which requires them to shave off their beards and
remove their turbans to serve in the military.
Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, who hopes to be the fourth
generation of his family to serve in the military, and another
Sikh Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan have sought change in the
rules that regulate wearing of religious items.
Kalsi and Rattan want to go on active duty in July, but
their plans are on hold for a 1980 policy that regulates
wearing of religious items requiring them to shave their
beards and remove turbans -- what they call their articles of
religious faith.
Kalsi's father and grandfather were part of the Indian
Air Force. His great-grandfather served in the British Indian
army.
While US army spokeswoman Toni Delancy said their
appeals are under review, the two challengers said they were
hopeful that they would prevail.
Sikh Coalition, a US-based Sikh activist group, which is
spearheading the effort, expressed hope that the rule will be
changed prior to July, thus enabling the two to start their
active duty on time.
"The US army places a high value on, and draws strength
from, our diversity. We make every effort to accommodate and
encourage diversity consistent with military necessity.
"Although, our current regulations establish the
standards of wear and appearance of the uniform, we understand
the importance of reviewing the rationale behind our current
policies when circumstances warrant," said Major General John
R Hawkins III in a communication to the Executive Director of
the Sikh Coalition Amardeep Singh.
The coalition considers the army communication to be
"significant development in our campaign" to end the exclusion
of Sikhs from the active duty in the US army.
The Canadian army rules allow Sikhs to keep turbans and
beards, while the British Army also allows them to generally
keep their articles of faith. PTI
New York, June 15 (PTI) Two Sikh US army officers,
hoping to go on active duty, have challenged a three-decade
old rule which requires them to shave off their beards and
remove their turbans to serve in the military.
Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, who hopes to be the fourth
generation of his family to serve in the military, and another
Sikh Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan have sought change in the
rules that regulate wearing of religious items.
Kalsi and Rattan want to go on active duty in July, but
their plans are on hold for a 1980 policy that regulates
wearing of religious items requiring them to shave their
beards and remove turbans -- what they call their articles of
religious faith.
Kalsi's father and grandfather were part of the Indian
Air Force. His great-grandfather served in the British Indian
army.
While US army spokeswoman Toni Delancy said their
appeals are under review, the two challengers said they were
hopeful that they would prevail.
Sikh Coalition, a US-based Sikh activist group, which is
spearheading the effort, expressed hope that the rule will be
changed prior to July, thus enabling the two to start their
active duty on time.
"The US army places a high value on, and draws strength
from, our diversity. We make every effort to accommodate and
encourage diversity consistent with military necessity.
"Although, our current regulations establish the
standards of wear and appearance of the uniform, we understand
the importance of reviewing the rationale behind our current
policies when circumstances warrant," said Major General John
R Hawkins III in a communication to the Executive Director of
the Sikh Coalition Amardeep Singh.
The coalition considers the army communication to be
"significant development in our campaign" to end the exclusion
of Sikhs from the active duty in the US army.
The Canadian army rules allow Sikhs to keep turbans and
beards, while the British Army also allows them to generally
keep their articles of faith. PTI
