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Pentagon reviews US army policy on Sikhs
WSN Network
Washington: Following a massive
protest and an educative campaign by the Sikh community, the US
defence department has decided to review its policy which prevents
Sikhs from joining the country’s armed forces.
On behalf of Defence Secretary Robert
Gates, the Pentagon has informed an advocacy group, Sikh Coalition,
that it was reviewing current regulations preventing a US Sikh
national from serving the army on the ground that they wear turban.
“Although our current regulation
establishes the standards of wear and appearance of the uniform, we
understand the importance of reviewing the rationale behind our
current policies when circumstances warrant,” wrote Major General
John R Hawkins, Director, Human Resources, Policy Directorate,
Pentagon.
The senior leadership is aware of the
concerns of the Sikh community, said the letter dated April 29,
which was released to the media on Friday.
The Coalition, which had taken up the
issue after two Sikh Americans challenged the regulation, has
welcomed the army’s step.
“We believe that once the army fully
reviews the policy, it will agree that Sikh practices have in no way
acted as an impediment to successful service in any military in the
world,” Amardeep Singh, executive director of Sikh Coalition, said
in a statement.
10
June 2009
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