Second Lawsuit Filed to End Discrimination Against Sikhs in U.S. Military

India West ^ | March 31, 2016 | India West Staff

[kevcol]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three Sikh American soldiers filed a lawsuit Mar. 29 asking the Defense Department to allow them to serve in the U.S. Army with their religiously-mandated turbans and beards intact.

The plaintiffs are Army Specialists Kanwar Singh and Harpal Singh and Army Private Arjan Singh Ghotra. The lawsuit, filed by the Sikh Coalition, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and McDermott Will & Emery, demands that the Army accommodate their religious articles of faith, including turbans, unshorn hair and beards, so that each can begin Basic Combat Training with their various units in May.

The lawsuit was filed after the U.S. Department of Defense ignored a written demand letter that was sent on Mar. 23, according to the Sikh Coalition.

[Peter Libra]

Little known facts in the USA about the one serious situation re the Sikhs. This because Canada saw a tragic act of terrorism caused by members of the Sikh community in British Columbia. A mandate was refused by India to let the Sikhs break away and have a separate state- Khalistan.

There were two Air India aircraft flying from Vancouver to India via Narita Airport Tokyo. One blew up over the Irish Sea. 329 souls dead. The other landed 48 minutes early in Tokyo for refueling. A few passengers deplaned and a bag blew up, killing two Japanese baggage handlers away from the aircraft.The two main culprits in Canada were tried by Judge alone. He acquitted them. A suspect on the run, was killed by Indian police in India. One served about 17 years. Today I hear no more about Khalistan and a new State.

I hardly know why I has to put this down, but somehow I thought it worth knowing. Terrorism knows no boundaries.

[MortMan]

No. The beard and turban prevent the seal when wearing a gas mask.

They cannot meet the job requirements.

[Gunner TLW]

Sir, I’m very sure they would make excellent soldiers. But, have you thought through the second and third order of effect this will surely cause within the US Armed Forces? Next will be Muslim garb then every sect imaginable will adjetate for their particular brand of religious dress.

What about the term UNIFORM do people not understand!

Everyday we are watching a slow destruction of the greatest fighting force in he world. What happens when we finally destroy the heritage, customs and traditions that are the bedrock of discipline within the fighting forces?

My greatest fear is that soon young men will simply not consider serving in the Armed Forces whose culture seems alien to them. Why join an organization that looks nothing like the proud institutions their fathers and grandfathers served. Young men will not rush to join an organization engaged in a full culture war within its ranks and many currently on active duty will vote with their feet and not reenlist.

For two centuries we have opened the ranks to immigrants. What now compels us to mirror the customs and dress of every immigrant group within America? This is madness and will dramatically reduce the war fighting capability of our forces.

Terry L Walker
CWO5
Marine Gunner
USMC Retired
1974-2008

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Next will be Muslim garb

Nah. The Sikhs will kill em.

[Crucial]

So Sikhs want special privileges too.

[Regulator]

Oh I remembered that and other incidents. Amritsar round 2.

Lotta people just don’t know, and they’ve been blinded by PC.

[Jack Hammer]

Sorry - I like the Sikhs, but this is bullsh*t.

Why can’t the Jews wear their yarmulkes?

Next it’ll be the homos claiming they need to wear pink and the women claiming they need to wear braids and the crossdressers and... on and on and on.

If you’re in the miltary, you’re not a civvy anymore.

Get tough or get lost.

[kearnyirish2]

How many soldiers did it take to kill Indira Gandhi?

Sikhs

(She was actually killed by two - her own bodyguards - after ordering the storming of their Golden Temple)

[R. Scott]

It must be a new ban. Before I retired in 1986 I saw a number of them with beards and turbans.

[Paal Gulli]

The majority of US special operators in Southwest Asia as I type this are wearing beards as part of their standard battle rattle, so the "gas mask won't fit" dog don't hunt.

US Sikh -vs- US snake eater

R. Scott, your memory is spot-on. Sikhs were universally given waivers for "non-standard grooming" until about 1987 (IIRC). They even were allowed to wear their "religious amulets" in uniform, but AFAIK they were limited to REMF positions; medical corps and JAG and the like. In the late 80s the exemption was dropped and those on active service were given the option either to conform or take an honorable discharge. It also bears mention that in the last few years the Army has given exemptions in onesies and twosies, both to Sikhs and to Orthodox Jews.

[JimRed]

Sikhs are the good guys, but rules are rules (unless you’re a Muslim, I guess).

[JimRed]

Why can’t the Jews wear their yarmulkes?

They can, under their military cover, or when uncovered.