For Immediate Release
Primary Press Contact: Mark Reading-Smith
Media & Communications Director, the Sikh Coalition
Mark@sikhcoalition.org, 202-380-8489
Secondary Press Contact: Jagmeet Singh
Media & Communications Manager, the Sikh Coalition
Jagmeet@sikhcoalition.org, 919-260-5500
January 4, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Today, the U.S. Army issued updated rules governing religious liberty that significantly improve the standards for Sikhs and other religious minorities who seek to serve their country with their religious articles of faith intact.
The new rules, which were signed by the Secretary of the Army, now allow for religious accommodations to be approved at the brigade-level (instead of the Secretary-level) and, once that approval occurs, ensure that the religious accommodation is enduring and applies to most positions within the U.S. Army.
“While we still seek a permanent policy change that enables all religious minorities to freely serve without exception,” said Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur, “we are pleased with the progress that this new policy represents for religious tolerance and diversity by our nation’s largest employer.”
Brigade commanders must grant religious accommodations for unshorn beards, unshorn hair, turbans and Muslim hijabs unless the requestor’s religious belief is not sincere or the Army identifies a specific, concrete hazard. Accommodations must be granted across all duty positions except in certain limited circumstances. The Army intends to conduct additional testing for the use of protective equipment by bearded soldiers.
“The Sikh articles of faith have always been consistent with the best of American values and we’re pleased that the burden no longer rests with Sikh soldiers to prove this through a lengthy administrative process,” said Amandeep Sidhu, partner at McDermott Will & Emery.
Since 1981, a prohibitive ban was placed on Sikh American soldiers that forced them to make the false choice between service to faith and country. Last year, after filing lawsuits on behalf of four Sikh American soldiers, including the decorated Captain Simratpal Singh, the U.S. Army has increased the number of individual long-term religious accommodations to nine.
“My turban and beard represent my commitment to pluralism and equality,” said Major Kalsi. “This policy change underscores the military's commitment to these values and is a sign of meaningful progress that will ensure the strength of our democracy.” Major Kalsi was the first Sikh American in more than a generation to be allowed to serve in the U.S. military without violating his articles of faith.
The Sikh Coalition and McDermott Will & Emery have led advocacy efforts to end religious discrimination in the U.S. military since 2009. In 2014, Becket Law joined these efforts and presently serves as co-counsel.
"Military experts have always questioned why the U.S. military has restricted Sikhs from serving,” said Eric Baxter, Senior Counsel at Becket Law, which acted as co-counsel on Captain Singh’s behalf. “Our Army will be stronger and our nation safer with Sikhs serving alongside their fellow Americans.”
For more information about the Sikh Coalition’s military campaign and the facts surrounding the military ban, click here. To schedule interviews with military clients, legal and policy experts from the Sikh Coalition, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, or Becket Law, please contact Mark Reading-Smith or Jagmeet Singh.