U.S. Military Rejects the Sikh Identity

Sign Our Petition in Support of Sikhs' Right to Serve

"There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion or national origin."

President Harry Truman, July 26, 1948

"I was shocked to learn that the Army would expect me to choose between my faith or my service to my country. There is nothing about my religion that stops me from doing my job."

Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, April 7, 2009

ACT NOW! For more background information about this campaign, click here.

We, the undersigned, call on the U.S. Army to end discrimination against the Sikh identity and allow Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi and Second Lieutenant Tejdeep Singh Rattan to serve with their turbans, unshorn hair and beards intact. Sikhs have a long history of serving in armed forces throughout the world without compromising the mandates of their faith. We know that Sikhs are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in the U.S. Army without being forced to choose between their religion or their service. The United States Army should reflect the rich diversity of our country. In 1948, President Truman promised equal treatment and opportunities for all members of the armed forces. Today we are asking the military to follow this core American principle in its words and actions.

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Why should Sikhs be allowed to serve in the U.S. Army?

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0-25 of 7328 signatures

Number	Date	Name	Location	Why should Sikhs be allowed to serve in the U.S. Army?
7328	January 10, 2010	Gulwant Singh	Bakersfield, CA
7327	December 29, 2009	Darshan Kaur	Vancouver, BC	Anyone should be allowed to serve in the Army irrespective of race or religion...more so, the U.S. army, the Land of the Free?!?
7326	December 24, 2009	Jia	hicksville, NY	because we are so awesome
7325	December 24, 2009	Jia	hicksville, NY	because we are so awesome
7324	December 21, 2009	Karan Puri	King of Prussia, PA	A person only wants to do something for country when he/she feels the sense of belonging for that country...And just considering the idea of Sikhs getting into army is same as feeling close to the country..here are some background on Sikhs: Sikhs has been warriors for ages and it goes without saying that they are a warrior race....A race that had fought thousands agains millions....and won it!...Basically India is India because of sikhs....or else it wouldn't have freed.....
7323	December 08, 2009	Sumandeep Matta	Iselin, NJ	Why not? They are a warrior race, and will do any army proud!
7322	November 25, 2009	Anonymous	jericho, NY
7321	November 17, 2009	Bakshinder Kaur	Richmond Hill, NY	If you go back to our history, you will see that the British only allowed "bole so nehal, sat shri akal" to be yelled before a battle began. It is a phrase form Sikhi. When this was said the opponents would know they were facing Sikhs and were scared. In addition, sikhs were given the option not to wear helmets. Our history is rich with brave soldiers who fought. Our power does not come as much from our physical state as does from the mental.
7320	October 22, 2009	Rajinder Singh Bains	Ludhiana	To uplift the fighting capabilty of the US army
7319	October 21, 2009	pardeep Kandola	Birmingham	they would be an assest not a hinderance. just do your research into sikh soldiers. so much for the land of equality
7318	October 20, 2009	April Kaur Randhawa	Seattle, WA
7317	October 19, 2009	Anonymous	Seattle, WA	Why shouldn't a Sikh be able to serve in the Army? Yes we can!
7316	October 18, 2009	Anonymous	Melbourne	US being culturally and ethically diverse , should respect and understand the beliefs of all the religions and backgrounds.
7315	October 17, 2009	Anonymous	King, NC	As a former Staff Sergeant in the US Army I swore to defend the Constitution of the United States. That includes freedom of religion. Everyone���s religion! Our military is made up of diverse mixture of all cultures and religions. To deny one of their religious beliefs or dress in our military is to deny them their constitutional right of that freedom. In joining our military to defend our way of life and freedoms we do not give up the rights we are defending.
7314	October 16, 2009	Indervir Singh	Sydney	I would like to ask why Sikh aren't allowed to serve in the US Army with their religious beliefs in hand and without them having to give up there religious identity? America is one of the worlds largest Democratic countries and should not even think about making a Sikh Soldier having to choose between in religion or is service. Sikhs have fought and served in the army all over the world. So why not America. What makes the US so special, so that they have the right to make a Sikh not able to serve in the Army because of is Religious identity. I'm ashamed of the US Military for such decision about Sikh Identity.
7313	October 15, 2009	Anonymous	Princes Risborough,	Comming from the UK I deeply saded when I learned that Sikhs in the US are not treated eqaully and have the basic human right of practicing their religoin. What ever happened to the land of the free? The US must get there act togther from the top down.
7312	October 14, 2009	Harpreet Mahal	Detroit, MI	Sikhs should be allowed to serve in the U.S. Army for the same reason that any minority group is allowed to serve in the U.S. As equal citizens, we have the right (and responsibility) to help protect our nation. There have been Sikhs in the U.S. Army before, and no logistical problems arose during that time. Why start discriminating now?
7311	October 13, 2009	Harraj Bhamra	London	Yes. Pure and simple. The US army are lucky enough that Sikhs are willing to fight for them rather than rebel against them despite all the post-9/11 descriminaton the Sikh community. It really pisses me off that the US army have the fucking cheek to reject them just because of their turbans and beards!
7310	October 13, 2009	Mandeep Sawhney	Severn, MD
7309	October 13, 2009	shawn bhandal	toronto, ON	they should be, BUT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES... RELIGION HAS NO VALUE.... EITHER REMOVE THE TURBAN OR SHuT THE FUK UP!! thanks
7308	October 12, 2009	Harleen Kaur	Leesburg, VA	Because as a US national, we should be given the same rights as others. We are ready to go to a war without a helmet and instead would rather wear a turban. If that's a risk, you have warned us. Consider your work done. Now let us do ours!
7307	October 11, 2009	Rajan SINGH Sohi	roseburg, OR	Well they should as citizens of the country its there right 85000 killed and 105000 wounded you are a fool not to let them serve they will rise to the ranks and be the best personel you have!!
7306	October 11, 2009	Ravinder	Richmond, VA
7305	October 10, 2009	justin jones	uiejongbu, AP	I am of sikh faith myself, it is a personal embarrasment to be forced to remove my turban or choose military disciplinary actions, sch as article 15
7304	October 09, 2009	Harshdeep anand	himachal pradesh	nobody in and around world can force any one to choose religion what so ever is the reason .Therby condemn the act of racial discrimiation in todays. 21 st century.Above all every problem has solution discarding is not a solution and we have to fight for our precautions and make world realise we are a committed community who is best known for their culture.Even if us army feels there is an responsibilty that cant be taken being a sikh then that issue need to be addressed than voilating the sikhs to be in indian army

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