Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
International

5 Sikhs Inducted Into US Army With Religious Accommodation

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Jan, 2017 12:44 PM
  • 5 Sikhs Inducted Into US Army With Religious Accommodation
WASHINGTON:  Five Sikhs have been granted approval to serve in the US Army with their religious insignia intact, days after the army issued a new regulation under which servicemen who wear turbans, hijabs or beards can be enrolled in the military.
 
This is the largest induction of Sikhs into the US armed forces after the Department of Defense banned visible articles of faith in 1981.
 
The new rules made public on January 4, eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that had previously discriminated against Sikhs.
 
The new set of rules, issued by Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, allows religious accommodations to be approved at the brigade-level. Previously it was at the level of Secretary.
 
"After a 35-year presumptive ban on observant Sikhs, our nation's largest employer has taken a vital step in embracing policies that reflect the rich diversity of our nation," said Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur.
 
"We look forward to permanent policy change across all branches of the military so that all religious minorities can freely serve without exception," she said.
 
 
Private Shabaddeep Singh Jammu, an Infantry Recruit who was born and raised in Elk Grove, California, vowed to follow a path of service after tragically losing his brother in 2013.
 
"The ability to serve my country and faith has been a lifelong goal. I'm now honoring my brother while pursuing a career that serves our nation without compromising my beliefs," he said.
 
 
According to Sikh Coalition, the religious accommodations bring the new total to at least 14 Sikh American soldiers now serving with their religious articles of faith in the US Army.
 
Under the previous policy, these accommodations involved a burdensome case-by-case process, were brought up the chain of command to the secretary-level, and were subject to annual review and revocation.
 
Now, they can be granted at the brigade-level and can only be revoked if the Army identifies a specific, concrete hazard.
 
This policy does not apply to the other branches of the US military.
 
The Sikh Coalition and McDermott Will & Emery have led advocacy efforts to end religious discrimination in the US military since 2009.
 
In 2014, Becket Law joined these efforts and served as co-counsel.
 
In the last year, the Truman National Security Project has also been an instrumental partner on this campaign, adding critical government connections and policy expertise, a media release said.

MORE International ARTICLES

Indian-Origin Man Killed In High-Speed Crash In UK

Indian-Origin Man Killed In High-Speed Crash In UK
  Sagar Chadha, speeding at about 120mph before the fatal crash that killed him and 17-year-old Mohammed Amin Ahmadi on New Year's Day this year, the inquest said.

Indian-Origin Man Killed In High-Speed Crash In UK

New Jersey Train Crashes Into Station During Morning Rush Hour; 3 Dead, 100 Injured

New Jersey Train Crashes Into Station During Morning Rush Hour; 3 Dead, 100 Injured
Hoboken, which is NJ Transit's fifth-busiest station with 15,000 boardings per weekday, is situated just across the Hudson River from New York City.

New Jersey Train Crashes Into Station During Morning Rush Hour; 3 Dead, 100 Injured

Indian-Origin Woman Sonita Nijhawan Killed In Axe Attack In Surrey, UK

Indian-Origin Woman Sonita Nijhawan Killed In Axe Attack In Surrey, UK
  Ms Sonita Nijhawan was discovered in a pool of blood in her family estate in Surrey, south England, in May this year. Her husband Sanjay Nijhawan is accused of killing her with as many as 124 blows from an axe.

Indian-Origin Woman Sonita Nijhawan Killed In Axe Attack In Surrey, UK

Child Care Projects make a positive impact, one goal at a time

Child Care Projects make a positive impact, one goal at a time
Projects Abroad makes progress on literacy efforts through detailed Care Management Plans

Child Care Projects make a positive impact, one goal at a time

Some British Indian Men Consider Their Wives As 'Disposable Women': Report

Some British Indian men are among a broader South Asian group in the UK who are guilty of mistreating and abandoning their wives in their countries of origin, a new report by a UK University has found.

Some British Indian Men Consider Their Wives As 'Disposable Women': Report

2 Indians Charged With Visa Fraud In New Jersey

2 Indians Charged With Visa Fraud In New Jersey
  Harpreet Sachdeva, 26, and Sanjeev Sukhija, 35, currently on a foreign worker visas and living in New Jersey have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

2 Indians Charged With Visa Fraud In New Jersey