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Second Lawsuit Filed to End Discrimination Against Sikhs in U.S. Military
India West ^ | March 31, 2016 | India West Staff

Posted on 04/02/2016 7:15:43 PM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at indiawest.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: bhodod; dod; lawsuit; sikhamerians; sikhamericans; sikhs; usarmy; usmilitary
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1 posted on 04/02/2016 7:15:43 PM PDT by kevcol
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To: kevcol

Sikh and ye shall find


2 posted on 04/02/2016 7:20:20 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: kevcol

They came here. Nobody else in the military has that privilege.

They can always move back to the Punjab and terrorize Hindus.


3 posted on 04/02/2016 7:21:27 PM PDT by Regulator
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To: kevcol

When did treating everyone the same become discrimination?


4 posted on 04/02/2016 7:21:37 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: kevcol

Not much of a leg to stand on... The Army granted a permanent exemption to an officer on the 31st. I would expect that this case would make significant note of this...

http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-us-military-permits-sikh-soldier-to-wear-beard-turban-2197427


5 posted on 04/02/2016 7:22:33 PM PDT by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
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To: Regulator

next....hijabs, burqas,


6 posted on 04/02/2016 7:26:27 PM PDT by kevcol
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To: kevcol
"Kanwar Singh and Harpal Singh, and Army Private Arjan Singh Ghotra"

Shut up and Singh?

7 posted on 04/02/2016 7:26:28 PM PDT by dynachrome (We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.)
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To: kevcol

Can a rastafarian serve with their dread locks?


8 posted on 04/02/2016 7:27:50 PM PDT by rey
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To: kevcol

How do you get a helmet on over that? The main reason for a clean shave is to get a seal on your gas mask.

What do they do in the Indian Army?


9 posted on 04/02/2016 7:29:37 PM PDT by rey
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To: kevcol

I’ve known a few Sikhs and they were very conservative and both carried. They do not like Allah and his followers.


10 posted on 04/02/2016 7:34:52 PM PDT by laplata ( Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: rey

25% of Indian army consists of Sikhs. And most of them wear turbans. It is one thing to consider religious freedom & all that, but army is a serious business, and each army should decide their own rules.


11 posted on 04/02/2016 7:37:51 PM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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To: kevcol; All

Sikhs seem to have an honorable military history, haven’t seen/read anything to contradict that here in the US.

Are there incidents why/where they have not been loyal, other?

I’m not advocating one way or the other, just asking.

(at worst, they could hide bullets in their headgear if put in our current admins ‘rules of engagement’ situations /s)


12 posted on 04/02/2016 7:38:37 PM PDT by This_far (I'll match any NEW DONOR dollar for dollar (cllk my nik for the fine print))
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To: Regulator
They can always move back to the Punjab and terrorize Hindus.

Sikhs aren't terrorists. They're not Muslims. Buy a clue.

13 posted on 04/02/2016 7:45:01 PM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: kevcol

It’s our military. Assimilate or get the **** out!


14 posted on 04/02/2016 7:45:58 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (America is not a dump, sewer or "refugee" camp. It's my home.)
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To: chajin

When my time in the service (in 50’s) the Sikh’s were well respected.


15 posted on 04/02/2016 7:52:35 PM PDT by elpadre (AfganistaMr Obama said the goal was to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-hereQaeda" and its allies.)
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To: kevcol

I saw a Sikh Spec 4 in Dress Greens with turban and dagger, Fort Lewis, early 1970.

I was on the “shot team” vaccinating new recruits.


16 posted on 04/02/2016 8:45:54 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: entropy12

If Sikhs do fine in the Indian army with their turbans, why can’t they do likewise in ours?

Sikhs are ready-made enemies of Islam. They seem to fit into our society, so why let that go to waste?


17 posted on 04/02/2016 8:51:38 PM PDT by elcid1970 ("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam. Buy ammo.")
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To: elcid1970

Once you start making exceptions to uniform codes, you might as well not have them.

Uniform...as in all the same...a most fundamental part of military discipline.

I like the Sikhs, but they know the rules going in. If they can’t abide by them, then find something else to do.


18 posted on 04/02/2016 8:57:27 PM PDT by rottndog ('Live Free Or Die' Ain't just words on a bumber sticker...or a tagline.)
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To: Petrosius

Well, read this:

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/calif-district-allows-sikh-students-to-carry-religious-daggers

We have “religious carve outs” for everyone but Christians.


19 posted on 04/02/2016 9:01:33 PM PDT by vette6387 (Obama can go to hell!)
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To: elcid1970

The numbers joining US military are minuscule. Will not make much difference. But you are correct about their dislike of the Muslims.


20 posted on 04/02/2016 9:16:56 PM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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