Supreme Court upholds dismissal of Christian Army officer for refusing to enter mandir and gurdwara. Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, commissioned in 2017, was terminated for gross indiscipline after repeatedly refusing to participate in regimental religious parades. The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed his plea on November 25, calling him a misfit for the Indian Army and labeling his conduct religious ego that disrespected his troops.
Kamalesan, posted as Troop Leader of a Sikh squadron in 3rd Cavalry Regiment, claimed entering the inner sanctum violated his monotheistic Christian faith. He proposed compromises, standing in courtyards but not crossing into worship zones. In June 2017, when his Commandant ordered him to enter and perform puja, he refused. Despite repeated counseling, including by Christian clergy who confirmed no religious violation occurred, he persisted in refusal. The Army terminated him in March 2021 under Section 19 of the Army Act, stating his conduct threatened unit cohesion and troop morale.
The Delhi High Court upheld the dismissal in May 2025, ruling that keeping personal religion above lawful command is indiscipline. The Supreme Court endorsed this reasoning, stating leaders must lead by example and respect collective sentiments. Chief Justice Kant remarked this was the grossest indiscipline and such cantankerous persons do not belong in disciplined forces. When personal religious interpretation undermines military cohesion, discipline prevails. The Army’s secular ethos requires officers to honor all faiths equally.
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