Singh not allowed to join the ROTC.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: A Sikh student at Hofstra University, Iknoor Singh, 19, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Army, on grounds of violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, alleging that the university won’t allow him to join the campus Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) because of his appearance, and instead wants him to shave his beard, cut his hair and remove his turban – all articles of his religious faith.
The lawsuit was filed by The American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of Singh, a sophomore studying finance and business analytics and resident of Queens, New York.
“During my senior year in high school, when I was looking at colleges, Hofstra appealed to me the most because it had an ROTC program on campus,” Singh told Time magazine.
Singh actively sought out the on-campus recruiter to let him know that he wanted to serve his nation as a member of the armed services, but recruiters told him he likely wouldn’t be able to enlist because of his appearance. Though the Department of Defense grants religious exemptions on an individual basis, under military rules recruits are required to wear conservative hairstyles and keep facial hair groomed in an effort to promote cohesion within the ranks–a direct contradiction to the Sikh faith.
Many Sikh Americans have protested the military’s guidelines on grooming. In March, 105 members of Congress sent a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urging an expansion of opportunities for Sikhs to enlist. Only three Sikhs since 1981 have been permitted to enlist and keep their articles of faith, including Maj. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi who told the Los Angeles Times in April, “I would gladly sacrifice my life for the mission. But I could not cut my hair and remove my turban. They’re not mine to give. They belong to my God.”
Time reported that Singh applied for a religious exemption as well, but his request was denied because he wasn’t yet enlisted. But of course, in a Catch-22, if he were to enlist, Singh would still have been required to adhere to grooming standards until his exemption was either accepted or denied. In either scenario, he would have to make the choice of his religion over his job or job over his religion.
“Our military should strive to welcome and accommodate recruits of all faiths,” said Heather L. Weaver, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Program on the Freedom of Religion and Belief in a statement. “Religious diversity is a strength, not a weakness.”
Singh hopes to become a military intelligence officer, and hopes that the lawsuit—aside from resulting in him getting to do what he wants to do—helps open doors for more Sikh Americans.
“This country was founded was founded on religious freedom,” Singh says. “I don’t think that’s being portrayed properly over here.”
Singh wrote in a blog on the ACLU website: “All my life, I’ve dreamed of serving my country. I couldn’t believe the military was asking me to make the impossible decision of choosing between the country I love and my faith.”
Singh is being permitted to audit the ROTC classes, said Lt. Col. Daniel Cederman, commander of Hofstra’s program, which trains students to become commissioned officers, reported CBS.
United Sikhs staff attorney Manmeet Singh said the lawsuit seeks a waiver for the Hofstra student, but hopes it also opens the door to let all Sikhs serve the nation, WCBS 880′s Jim Smith reported.
“He just wants to serve his country,” he said. “The time is right that they should be given this honor to serve their nation while keeping their articles of faith intact.”
Singh said that he personally knows several Sikh soldiers currently serving who told him that they have no problem getting helmets on and getting a good seal over their gas masks while wearing turbans, said CBS.
In a statement, Hofstra University said it “entirely supports Mr. Singh’s ambitions to serve his country. He is currently enrolled in the ROTC class and we are providing him leadership training to the extent that the U.S. Army has allowed. We very much hope that the Army will permit us to enroll Mr. Singh in the program as a full cadet.”