The Hindu : Front Page : U.S. army ban on turban challenged

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Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009
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U.S. army ban on turban challenged

New York: Two Sikh U.S. army officers, hoping to go on active duty, have challenged a three decades-old rule that requires them to shave off their beards and remove their turbans – what they call their articles of religious faith.

Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, who hopes to follow the family tradition of serving in the military, and Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan have sought a change in the rules that regulate wearing of religious items.

Captain Kalsi and Captain Rattan want to go on active duty in July, but their plans are on hold because of the 1980 policy. U.S. army spokeswoman Toni Delancy said their appeals were under review. Captain Kalsi’s father and grandfather were part of the Indian Air Force. His great-grandfather served in the British Indian army.

Sikh Coalition, a U.S.-based activist group, expressed hope that the rule would be changed before July, thus enabling them to start their active duty on time.

“The U.S. 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,” said Major General John R. Hawkins III, in a communication to the coalition’s executive director Amardeep Singh.

“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,” he said.

The coalition considers the army communication a “significant development in our campaign” to end the exclusion of Sikhs from active duty in the U.S. army. The Canadian army rules allow Sikhs to keep turbans and beards, and the British Army also permits them to generally retain their articles of faith. — PTI

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