The Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal of a Christian officer from the Indian Army for allegedly refusing to participate in religious rituals at his regiment’s temple and gurdwara. Describing him as a “misfit”, the top court backed the Army’s decision to terminate him in 2021.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court’s May order that had upheld the dismissal of Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan. The officer had reportedly argued that participating in religious rituals went against his Christian beliefs.

Let’s take a closer look.

Why the Army removed a Christian officer

Commissioned in 2017, Samuel Kamalesan was posted with a Sikh squadron. As per a Bar and Bench report, he faced disciplinary proceedings for declining to enter the inner sanctum of the regiment’s Hindu temple and gurudwara during mandatory regimental parades.

Kamalesan claimed that his objection stemmed not only as a sign of respect for his Christian faith, but also out of respect for the sentiments of his troops, so as not to offend their religious sentiments with his non-participation in rituals.

He also argued that his troops did not take offence, nor did it impact his strong bond with them, reported Bar and Bench.

The Army, however, said the officer refused to change his stance even after counselling by senior officers and Christian clergy. He was eventually terminated in 2021.

The Army said the officer’s objection undermined unit cohesion and troop morale.

In its May 30 order, the Delhi High Court upheld Kamalesan’s termination, saying the officer had kept his religion above a lawful command from a superior, which was “clearly an act of indiscipline”.

It also noted that Section 41 of the Army Act makes disobeying the order of a superior officer an offence.

SC upholds Christian Army officer’s termination

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 25) upheld Kamalesan’s removal from the Indian Army.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi said the officer’s actions were the “grossest kind of indiscipline by an army officer”.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who appeared for Kamalesan, argued that the officer had committed only a “single infraction” by refusing to enter the sanctum at his place of posting.