New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has said that India’s armed forces are individuals from various religions, castes, and backgrounds, who are unified by the uniform they wear and not divided by religious beliefs.
This observation came as the Court upheld the dismissal of a Christian Indian Army officer, Samuel Kamalesan, who refused to participate in pooja, citing his personal faith, The Indian Express reported.
According to the Court, the termination order clearly reflected that Kamalesan was firm in his stance and consistently refused to take part in religious parades due to his beliefs. This was also confirmed by his Commanding Officer.
A division bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur noted that his termination was based not merely on his Annual Confidential Report (ACR) but on his behaviour, which affected military discipline and the unity of the unit.
In its ruling, the Court reiterated the foundational principles of the armed forces, stating: “Our Armed Forces include personnel from all religions, castes, creeds, regions, and faiths, with the singular aim of protecting the nation from external threats. As such, they are bound by the common identity of the uniform rather than separated by their religious or regional affiliations.”
The Court also underlined the responsibility of commanding officers, asserting they must lead by setting examples that prioritise the cohesion and discipline of their units over individual religious considerations. This is especially crucial during combat and wartime leadership.
Acknowledging the dedication and sacrifices made by military personnel who defend the country in extreme conditions, the bench remarked that the ethos of the Indian armed forces is centered on placing the nation above self—and certainly above religion.
Samuel Kamalesan, who was commissioned into the Indian Army in March 2017 as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment—comprising squadrons of Sikh, Jat, and Rajput soldiers—served as the Troop Leader of Squadron B, which includes Sikh personnel. Following his termination, he approached the Delhi High Court, challenging his dismissal without pension or gratuity, and has sought reinstatement into service.
