Supreme Court Rules Against Christian Officer: Religious Discipline in Indian Army Case Explained

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticized a Christian Army officer dismissed for refusing to enter a gurdwara, describing him as a "cantankerous man" and a "misfit." The court supported the armed forces' decision to terminate him for failing to respect his fellow Sikh soldiers' religious practices.

"What kind of message is he sending? Gross indiscipline by an Army officer. He should have been terminated. This kind of cantankerous persons deserves to be in the military?" remarked a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

"He may be an outstanding officer but he is a misfit for the Indian Army. The amount of responsibilities our forces have at this time... this is not what we want to entertain."

Samuel Kamalesan, formerly a Lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, was dismissed for defying military discipline after refusing a direct command from his superior officer to enter the sanctum sanctorum of a temple to conduct a puja. He contended that doing so would compromise his monotheistic Christian faith.

The Delhi High Court in May upheld the Army's decision, ruling that Kamalesan "kept his religion above a lawful command from his superior," which was "clearly an act of indiscipline." The court determined his actions violated "essential military ethos."

In the Supreme Court hearing, Justice Joymala Bagchi noted that the ex-soldier had even disregarded his pastor's counsel. "When your pastor counsels you... you leave it at that. You cannot have your private understanding of what your religion permits. That too, in uniform..." the justice stated.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Kamalesan, argued, "They dismissed him for a single infraction" while pointing out that his client had demonstrated respect for other religions by participating in festivals like Holi and Diwali.

"This one place in Punjab did not have a sarv dharm sthal. It had a gurdwara... He is standing right outside the sanctorum. He told them, 'Everything else you want me to do outside, I'll do... but entering the sanctorum is against my faith...'," Sankaranarayanan explained, noting that only Kamalesan's superior officer had raised objections.

The advocate further argued that the Constitution, while conferring the right to practice one's religion, also provides the right not to participate in other religious practices. "By joining the Army, one does not lose one's religious identity. I was entering the gurdwara, temple, everything... but I stopped when they asked me to do puja. That much the Constitution provides," he maintained, reiterating, "I profess monotheistic faith..."

The Supreme Court, however, remained unconvinced by these arguments.

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