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US Congressmen urge Gates to accept Sikhs in Army

by Amitjha | July 20, 2009 at 09:32 pm

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Sikhs are known for there loyalty, Britishers know it well, how they served them in ruling the country.They are warrior class, formed to save frontiers from the Muslim attack in Mugal period.

So the demand of the US lawmakers for induction in the US army is very genuine.Well they will be allowed with or without turban is totally religious issue.Hope the freedom loving America will allow them freedom to wear whatever they want.

Two US lawmakers have written a "dear colleague" letter asking other Congressmen to write to the US defence secretary to allow Sikh

youths to serve in the military with their turban.

"We are writing to request that you join us in signing the attached letter that we are sending to Secretary (Robert) Gates regarding a fundamental issue of fairness, justice, and religious freedom: the right of Sikh Americans to abide by their religious articles of faith while serving in the United States Armed Forces," wrote Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen and Carolyn Maloney in a dear colleague letter.

Frelinghuysen and Maloney said two commissioned army officers, Captain Kamaljeet S Kalsi and Captain Tejdeep S Rattan - from New Jersey and New York, respectively - were not being permitted to continue their service while wearing a turban and keeping an unshorn beard, both required tenets of the Sikh religion.

"Earlier this month, we sent letters to Secretary Gates regarding our respective constituents' requests for accommodation and urged him to reconsider the policies that prevent Sikh Americans from freely serving in our Armed Forces (enclosed)," they said