AdminA Sikh student from New York is all excited about a federal court decision that allows him to enroll himself as well as other Sikhs in the U.S. Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps without compromising on their articles of faith. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson remarked that 20-year-old Iknoor Singh’s adherence to his […]
A Sikh student from New York is all excited about a federal court decision that allows him to enroll himself as well as other Sikhs in the U.S. Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps without compromising on their articles of faith. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson remarked that 20-year-old Iknoor Singh’s adherence to his religious beliefs would not restrict his ability to serve in the army.
“It was kind of surreal for something I have been fighting for two or three years. I’m excited and nervous; very excited to learn.” reported Iknoor.
Singh has had a lifelong interest in public service. He is well versed in four languages — English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu — and he aspires to work in military intelligence.
“Becoming an officer is not an easy thing, You have to be proficient in many areas!” he conceded. Remaining firm on his faith he said “Once a Sikh gets rid of his hair and his beard, it’s in direct violation of his faith. You lose what God has given to you,”
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.
Currently, only a few Sikhs serve in the U.S. Army who has been granted religious accommodations. Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Ben Garrett, said in a statement the decision is currently being examined. “The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin,” he said.
The senior staff attorney for the Sikh Coalition, Gurjot Kaur 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.”
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.”
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~ Source: nbcnewyork.com