https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Faith vs Discipline: Delhi HC Backs Army in Termination of Officer, Upholds Dismissal For Refusing Religious Parade Participation

Court Says Officer’s Conduct Violated Secular Norms, Discipline of Armed Forces
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: In a significant verdict weighing religious freedom against military discipline, the Delhi High Court has upheld the dismissal of an Indian Army officer, Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, who refused to participate in regimental religious parades citing his Christian faith. The court ruled that his conduct amounted to indiscipline and was contrary to the secular ethos and unified structure of the armed forces.

In a May 30 order, the Division Bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur ruled that Kamalesan’s actions violated the secular ethos and strict discipline expected within the Indian Army.

“United by Uniform, Not Divided by Religion” – High Court
The bench emphasised the unique unity of the armed forces, stating, “Our armed forces comprise personnel of all religions, castes, creeds, regions and faiths… They are united by their uniform rather than divided by their religion, caste or region.”

The court further clarified that although regiments may retain traditional religious affiliations or practices – such as war cries or places of worship – these elements are motivational and unifying, rather than exclusionary.

Background: Refusal to Participate in Regimental Practices
Lt. Kamalesan was commissioned into the 3rd Cavalry Regiment in March 2017 and assigned as troop leader of Squadron B, comprising primarily Sikh personnel. He objected to attending religious parades, asserting that his regiment had only a mandir and gurdwara, but no church or sarv dharm sthal to accommodate diverse religious practices.

The Army, in response, organised multiple counselling sessions, but Kamalesan continued to refuse participation, citing personal religious grounds.

Court: Officer Placed Personal Faith Above Lawful Orders
The court held that Kamalesan’s refusal amounted to disobedience of lawful command and was a breach of Army discipline:

“Kamalesan kept his religion above a lawful command from his superior, which was clearly an act of indiscipline.”

It added that what may seem “harsh or far-fetched” in civilian life must be seen in the context of military discipline, where unity and cohesion are paramount.

Dismissal Deemed Justified
The termination order, issued without pension or gratuity, specifically noted that Kamalesan’s behaviour violated secular norms and harmed the camaraderie between officers and troops.
The court concluded that the Army’s decision was taken after due diligence and consideration of the consequences.

Kamalesan Sought Reinstatement
Kamalesan had approached the Delhi High Court seeking reinstatement, restoration of pension, and recognition of alleged religious discrimination. However, the court dismissed his plea, upholding the Army’s actions as necessary to preserve its integrity and discipline.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
RVNL
RVNL Awards Rs. 325.8 Million OHE Modification Project to BCPL Railway Infrastructure in Dhanbad Division
IAS officer Talo Potom
HIV Scandal: Arunachal Pradesh IAS Officer Talo Potom Arrested Over 19-Year-Old’s Alleged Suicide – Full Case Details
MY Bharat Portal
Crore Youth Join MY Bharat Portal: How India’s Young Force Is Powering Viksit Bharat 2047
covid-19 doctors compensation
Supreme Court Sends Strong Message on COVID-19 Doctors Compensation — Govt Asked to Act Fast
IREDA
S&P Global Upgrades IREDA’s Credit Rating to ‘BBB’ with Stable Outlook, Boosting Renewable Energy Financing
Vishnu Deo Sai Chhath Mahaparv
Chhath Mahaparv: Chhattisgarh CM Sai Prays for Peace and Prosperity, KunKuri Ghat to Get ₹5.17 Crore Upgrade
photo_2023-10-30_17-55-06
Cabinet Approves ₹37,952 Crore Nutrient-Based Subsidy for Rabi 2025–26; Affordable Fertilizers for Farmers
Delhi Metro DMRC
DMRC Wins ICI Award 2025 for Outstanding Prestressed Concrete Structure on Maujpur–Majlis Park Corridor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
RVNL
RVNL Awards Rs. 325.8 Million OHE Modification Project to BCPL Railway Infrastructure in Dhanbad Division
IAS officer Talo Potom
HIV Scandal: Arunachal Pradesh IAS Officer Talo Potom Arrested Over 19-Year-Old’s Alleged Suicide – Full Case Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT