Sikhs In Us Armed Forces

Three Sikh soldiers on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defence seeking to serve in the US armed forces without being forced to compromise with their articles of faith like turbans, unshorn hair and beards.

Upholding the religious freedom rights of Sikhs in the US armed forces, an American court has ruled in favour of a decorated Sikh Army Captain who had demanded that the military accommodate his articles of faith and abandon its impromptu discriminatory testing.

US President Barack Obama has promised Sikhs to look into their demand to allow them to serve in the American military "without restrictions" on their articles of faith like growing a beard and wearing a turban, according to a prominent community organisation.

Sikhs enjoy greater religious liberty in the militaries of countries like India, Canada and Britain than the US, a Sikh advocacy group has said, presenting a case for removal of barriers for the members of the community to join armed forces in America.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will consider requests being made by over 120 lawmakers, both from the House of Representatives and the Senate, on allowing Sikhs to serve in the armed forces without any compromise of their religious identity and symbols, the Pentagon has said.

Sixteen influential Indian-Americans from across the country have asked US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to allow Sikhs to serve in the armed forces with their religious faith intact.

Lawmakers urged the Pentagon on Monday to lift a virtual ban on Sikhs serving in the US armed forces by easing the military-uniform policy to enable Sikhs to wear beards, long hair and turbans in accordance with the customs of their religion.

Three Sikh soldiers on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defence seeking to serve in the US armed forces without being forced to compromise with their articles of faith like turbans, unshorn hair and beards.

Upholding the religious freedom rights of Sikhs in the US armed forces, an American court has ruled in favour of a decorated Sikh Army Captain who had demanded that the military accommodate his articles of faith and abandon its impromptu discriminatory testing.

US President Barack Obama has promised Sikhs to look into their demand to allow them to serve in the American military "without restrictions" on their articles of faith like growing a beard and wearing a turban, according to a prominent community organisation.

Sikhs enjoy greater religious liberty in the militaries of countries like India, Canada and Britain than the US, a Sikh advocacy group has said, presenting a case for removal of barriers for the members of the community to join armed forces in America.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will consider requests being made by over 120 lawmakers, both from the House of Representatives and the Senate, on allowing Sikhs to serve in the armed forces without any compromise of their religious identity and symbols, the Pentagon has said.

Sixteen influential Indian-Americans from across the country have asked US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to allow Sikhs to serve in the armed forces with their religious faith intact.

Lawmakers urged the Pentagon on Monday to lift a virtual ban on Sikhs serving in the US armed forces by easing the military-uniform policy to enable Sikhs to wear beards, long hair and turbans in accordance with the customs of their religion.