Supreme Court upholds dismissal of Christian Army officer for refusing to join regiment’s religious rituals
Court finds refusal hurt religious feelings of soldiers; officers expected to follow lawful commands respecting unit cohesion
The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, a Christian Army officer who refused to participate in religious rituals at his regiment’s temple and gurdwara. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi expressed strong disapproval of his refusal, observing that such conduct hurt the religious sentiments of the soldiers subordinate to him.
Lt Kamalesan, commissioned in 2017 and assigned to the Sikh squadron, faced disciplinary action for refusing to enter the inner sanctum of religious structures during mandatory regimental parades. Despite consultations with Christian clergy indicating no conflict with his faith, he maintained his refusal, which, according to the Army, undermined unit cohesion and troop morale, leading to his termination in 2021.
The Delhi High Court had earlier upheld his dismissal, noting that as a Commanding Officer, Kamalesan bore additional responsibilities and that the issue was about following lawful commands rather than religious freedom.
The Supreme Court rejected the argument that the ceremony violated the Christian faith, including the submission about the “first Commandment.” The Bench observed that the regiment is secular, and officers cannot interpret their religion to disobey lawful orders, especially when the Pastor had advised that attending the “Sarv Dharm Sthal” (multi-faith shrine) did not conflict with Christian faith.
The Court held that Kamalesan was a misfit for the Army and declined to interfere with his dismissal.