Sikh Boy Wins Case, Can Join US Army Training With Beard, Turban

A US court ruling allows the 20-year-old Sikh boy join his college Army programme keeping his beard, turban and hair

Hofstra University student Iknoor Singh. (Photo: AP)

It is a significant win for this 20-year-old Sikh boy. A US District Court has permitted him to get admitted in an army programme retaining the articles of faith like the beard and turban. He was earlier denied the right to enrol in the US Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programme in his college on account of his religious articles of faith.

US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Friday gave the ruling supporting Iknoor Singh to enrol in the training programme without letting go of his turban, beard or long hair.

I’m very grateful that the freedom of religion our country fought so hard for will allow me to pursue my dream career - serving this country as a military intelligence officer - without violating my faith

— Iknoor Singh.

Singh, a student at Long Island- based Hofstra University, has been living in New York since his birth.

Singh had alleged that the army’s refusal to accommodate his religious exercise violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). He had brought a lawsuit against Secretary of the US Army John McHugh and Commander of the ROTC programme at Hofstra University Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Cederman, along with other senior military officials.