The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark ruling, backing the Indian Army's decision to dismiss a Christian officer who repeatedly declined to participate in compulsory ceremonies at his regiment's Sikh gurudwara.
Court Upholds Dismissal in Military Discipline Case
The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, found that Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan's refusal constituted a serious breach of discipline. The court stated the officer had placed his personal interpretation of faith above the collective devotional routines designed to build cohesion within the armed forces.
This Supreme Court decision confirms a May ruling from the Delhi High Court, which had similarly found that Lt Kamalesan kept his religion above a lawful command. The officer was commissioned into the 3rd Cavalry regiment in 2017 and served as a troop leader in a squadron with a Sikh majority.
The Clash of Faith and Regimented Practice
Lt Kamalesan argued that entering the sanctum sanctorum to perform rituals violated his Protestant Christian beliefs and his monotheistic faith. He contended he was willing to attend parades and ceremonies outside the inner shrine and claimed no one in his troop objected to his stance.
His counsel, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, asserted the issue originated from a single superior officer insisting on rituals incompatible with his client's religion. However, the Supreme Court bench rejected this characterisation.
Chief Justice Kant revealed that the officer had disregarded advice from his commanders and even a pastor of his own faith, who had counselled that entering a Hindu or Sikh shrine would not breach Christian doctrine. Leaders have to lead by example. You insulted your troops, the Chief Justice told the lawyer during proceedings.
Secular Ethos and the Final Ruling
The army maintained that Lt Kamalesan had been counselled for months on the purpose of regimental devotional parades, which are intended to foster unity, pride, and motivation. His continued refusal, despite this guidance, was deemed to undermine cohesion and risk lowering morale.
The defence ministry informed the court that the officer's dismissal under the Army Act followed a showcause notice issued in 2019. The Supreme Court also declined a request to lessen the penalty based on his previously clean record, stating a firm message was necessary to ensure officers respect the sentiments of their soldiers.
Justice Bagchi emphasised that constitutional protections for religious freedom safeguard only the essential features of religious practice, not every personal sentiment. The bench concluded that an officer could not rely on a private interpretation of doctrine to override a lawful command within a disciplined force.
