A decorated Sikh-American officer, Captain Simratpal Singh has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defence citing discrimination. Captain Singh has alleged that he was asked to submit to non-standard testing because of his religious beliefs. He has asked to be allowed to continue serving the US military while keeping his articles of faith, ie his turban and beard.
The first of its kind lawsuit seeks directions for the military to accommodate Capt. Singh's religious beliefs and his articles of faith.
Capt Singh was earlier granted temporary accommodation in December last year, which was later extended until March 31, 2016.
According to Sikh Coalition- an organisation pursuing the lawsuit on Capt Singh's behalf, on February 26, he was asked to undergo additional non-standard tests that no other soldier has been asked to undergo.
"I have so much pride in my Sikh identity and service to my nation,” said Captain Singh in December after receiving his temporary accommodation. “To feel spiritually whole, while continuing my military career, has always been the dream.”
Capt Simratpal Singh had to cut his hair in order to fulfill his dream of serving the US military when he joined in 2006. In 2015, he was given temporary exemption and allowed to keep his articles of Sikh faith. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan.
Prior to 1974, Sikh Americans were allowed to serve in the U.S. military with their articles of faith intact. However, since 1981, stricter regulations have required new recruits to request religious accommodations on a case-by-case basis, and only three Sikh Americans have been successful.
“Captain Singh is being subject to discriminatory testing that isn’t required of any other soldiers, even those with medical or religious accommodations. The Army cannot delay in providing him with his statutory and constitutionally mandated right to an accommodation to serve as an observant Sikh in the Army,” said the Sikh Coalition’s Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur.
