Resource: Singh v. Carter

By: Becket

January 4, 2017

Becket

Captain Simratpal “Simmer” Singh is a devout Sikh and decorated Army Captain who was forced to choose between serving his country and wearing the articles of his faith: his unshorn hair, beard, and turban. The Army gave over 100,000 soldiers medical and other exemptions from its 30-year policy of banning beards and had no good reason to discriminate against Sikh soldiers, like Simmer, who required an exemption for religious reasons. In February 2016, Becket, along with the Sikh Coalition and the law firm McDermott Will & Emery, filed a lawsuit on behalf of Captain Singh, and secured a court victory under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In January 2017, Captain Singh won the right to serve his country while following his faith when the Army issued new regulations stating that Sikh soldiers will not be forced to abandon their religious turbans, unshorn hair, or beards throughout their military career.

https://www.becketlaw.org/case/singh-v-carter/