New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the dismissal of Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, a Christian Army officer, for his persistent refusal to participate in regimental ‘sarva dharma’ (all-faith) religious parades and ceremonies, terming his conduct as the “grossest kind of indiscipline.”
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed the officer’s plea challenging his termination, noting that his actions severely undermined the secular ethos and unit cohesion vital to the Armed Forces.
Lt. Kamalesan, who was commissioned in 2017 and commanded Sikh, Jat, and Rajput troops in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, was dismissed from service in 2021. He had sought exemption from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the regiment’s gurdwara and temple, arguing that performing rituals or worshipping inside these spaces went against his Protestant Christian monotheistic belief. The Delhi High Court had previously upheld his dismissal on May 30 of this year.
During the hearing, the Bench strongly criticized the officer’s stance, observing that he had refused to comply even after being counseled by a pastor who reportedly advised that entering a multi-faith space would not violate his faith. “What kind of message he has been sending…he should have been thrown out for this only…the grossest kind of indiscipline by an Army official,” the CJI remarked, adding that the officer’s “religious ego is so high that he does not care about others.”
Senior Counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the officer, argued that his client was dismissed over a single infraction—refusing to enter the sanctum during rituals—and maintained that the Constitution protected his freedom not to be forced to worship a deity. However, the Bench remained unconvinced, holding that leaders in uniform must set an example and respect the collective faith of their troops, concluding that the officer was a “complete misfit” for the Indian Army.
