Culture
NEW YORK: Sikh Coalition to support US Marine officer to file lawsuit if not allowed turban and beard
NEW YORK: First Lieutenant Sukhbir Singh Toor, an active-duty officer in the US Marine Corps (USMC), who has been seeking to serve with his Sikh articles of faith, is now preparing to file a lawsuit if his beard and turban are not permanently allowed.
He is being supported by Sikh Coalition, a community organisation in the US,
along with their pro bono counsel at law firm Winston & Strawn LLP. “If a
full accommodation is granted to FirstLt Toor, it would be the first, to our
knowledge, for an active-duty Sikh Marine. At present, First Lt Toor has
received an incomplete and flawed accommodation offered by the department of
the navy (DoN), which recognises his right to maintain his articles of faith
but still imposes undue restrictions on his free exercise of religion,” Sikh
Coalition said in a statement.
Toor has served with distinction in the USMC since October 2017. “For more than three years, I have proven my commitment to excelling in the US Marine Corps and defending my country,” he said. “Now, I am simply asking for a religious accommodation that will permanently allow my turban and beard, so that I can once again be true to my faith while continuing my career of service.”
Toor, who currently serves as a fire support officer for 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, applied for a religious accommodation with assistance from the Sikh Coalition and its partners in March 2021. The DoN’s response to his request, delivered in June, prohibited him from wearing his turban and maintaining his beard in vast swaths of his current military career.
After he appealed that decision
in June, the DoN responded with an updated accommodation in August that
recognised his right to maintain his Sikh articles of faith, but still imposed
unacceptable restrictions on his religious exercise – specifically, he would be
forced to remove his turban and beard whenever assigned to a ceremonial unit,
and to shave his beard when deployed and receiving hostile fire pay or imminent
danger pay. “Accordingly, we are now considering our final options before
litigation,” the Sikh Coalition spokesperson said.
As a younger man, Toor thought he had no choice but to compromise his faith in
order to serve his country as a Marine, due to the branch’s track record of
denying such religious accommodation. He, thus, made the difficult decision to
shave his beard and cut his hair, but committed to return to his articles of
faith at the earliest opportunity. On the eve of his promotion to captain later
this fall, he decided to apply for an accommodation in the hope that his record
of service would favourably influence his request.
“First Lt Toor has proven his commitment to the ideals of the Marine Corps and
his ability to defend his country,” said Giselle Klapper, Sikh Coalition’s
senior staff attorney. “Unfortunately, the Marine Corps only wants him to
practice his faith in ways and at times that are convenient to them; they would
rather derail his promising career than acknowledge his right to practice
Sikhi. We urge General Berger to review his record of service and grant him a
full and complete accommodation that will allow him to continue to excel in his
career with his articles of faith.”
“The Corps’ focus on aesthetic preferences about ‘uniformity’ over either equality of opportunity under the law or even mission readiness is a serious disappointment,” added Amandeep Sidhu, pro bono co-counsel for the Sikh Coalition at Winston & Strawn LLP. “The Army and the Air Force have both been made stronger by Sikh servicemembers who serve honourably with their articles of faith; it is time for the Marine Corps to live up to the standard set by these other branches.”
The Sikh Coalition, along with the pro bono counsel at Winston & Strawn LLP and McDermott Will & Emery, and litigation partners the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty have helped more than 30 Sikh Americans in the US Army and US Air Force (USAF) secure their accommodations. “In addition to First Lt Toor, we are currently assisting other active duty and pre-accession clients apply for religious accommodations.
We also recognise the important work of the American Civil Liberties Union, BakerHostetler, and the Sikh American Veterans Alliance on this campaign,” the Sikh Coalition release stated. Sikhs were able to serve with their religious articles of faith in the United States military until a prohibitive blanket policy was put in place in 1981. Since 2009, when the Sikh Coalition launched a campaign to reverse this discriminatory policy, nearly 100 Sikh Americans have successfully served in the Armed Forces with their articles of faith.
“No organisation likes to be told that change is necessary, but many of the arguments that the USMC is using today to deny a full religious accommodation are the same faulty arguments that were used to try and deny my religious rights to serve in the US Army,” said Major Simratpal Singh, an instructor at the US Military Academy West Point.
In 2016, a federal court issued a historic ruling in favour of Singh that further paved the way for the US Army permanently changing their policy. “I’m now just one of the many cases that demonstrate that our Sikh articles of faith pose no barrier to service,” Major Singh said. He added that it’s time for the USMC to recognise that fact.
NEW YORK: Celebrations sparkled up the Times Square in New York City yesterday as the Indian community and several US citizens gathered to observe the Hindu festival of lights.
The event featured performances from various cultural groups. Among the notable attendees were Mayor Eric Adams, New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, Senator Chuck Schumer and Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Pradhan. Ms Rajkumar has been a key advocate for recognizing Diwali as a school holiday in the USA throughout.
Mayor Adams took to social media platform X (formerly, Twitter) to address the event.
“Proud to be with our Hindu brothers and sisters today for the annual Diwali at Times Square celebration as we push away the darkness and welcome in light all across our city,” he wrote.
What better place to celebrate the festival of lights than in the Crossroads of the World?
Proud to be with our Hindu brothers and sisters today for the annual Diwali at Times Square celebration as we push away the darkness and welcome in light all across our city. pic.twitter.com/VauEgY14IO
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 20, 2024
The official Twitter account of the Consulate General of India, New York also shared pictures of the glamourous celebrations on social media.
Diwali @ TimesSquare : Indian American Community & American Friends join together at Times Square to celebrate Diwali.@narendramodi @PMOIndia @MEAIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india @binaysrikant76 pic.twitter.com/kylTXrtbni
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 20, 2024
Neeta Bhasin, founder of Diwali at Times Square, also played an instrumental role during the celebration. The festivities culminated in a ceremonial lighting of diyas (lamps), symbolizing hope and renewal.
Diwali has been celebrated in the heart of New York City since 2013. As attendees gathered to witness this moment, they were reminded of the festival’s core values and its ability to unite diverse communities.
CG @binaysrikant76 joined friends from Indian-American Community & American friends to celebrate Diwali; Spl thanks to Senate Majority Leader Senator @SenSchumer , Mayor Eric Adams @NYCMayor , Assemblywoman @JeniferRajkumar for joining & to main organiser of the event Ms. Neeta… pic.twitter.com/Ul7gsLoiYb
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 20, 2024
Diwali has also been officially recognized as a school holiday in New York City last year. About 4.4 million Indian origin people reside in the US with persons of Indian origin constituting the third largest Asian ethnic group in the US, according to ANI. New York, San Francisco and Chicago metropolitan areas are places in the USA which have the highest population of the Indian community in the country.
Another event to commemorate Diwali was organised by the Indian Consulate in Pennsylvania.
Deputy Consul General @varunjeph joined the Diwali celebrations by Khalsa Asian American Association in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania along with members of the Indian diaspora and Asian American community.
Thank you @UpperDarbyPA Mayor Ed Brown and PA State Senator Tim Kearny… pic.twitter.com/6LzwVJ3FR1
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 20, 2024
Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph joined the Diwali celebrations by the Khalsa Asian American Association along with members of the Indian and Asian American community.
While the festive spirit, through such events and recognitions, continues to exhibit an attempt at endeavours towards fostering a spirit of unity and equality, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)’s recent report showed another side of South Asian experiences. As reported by Reuters, the AAPI study shows that South Asian people in the US have been facing alarmingly high levels of hate ahead of the 2024 elections, which transcends not just to the common people but also to heavyweights such as Kamala Harris, and Usha Vance. Such celebrations of South Asian festivities thus do their bit in bringing together the diverse communities in a dazzling show of vibrant unity across the globe.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a video message to ‘the attendees, emphasizing the festival’s role in promoting unity and goodwill. He stated that Diwali serves as a reminder of the victory of good over evil and the importance of knowledge over ignorance. He has also highlighted the importance of the Indian community in the US and referred to them as a ‘living bridge’ connecting the two places. Diwali falls on November 1st this year.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed tens of thousands of Indian-Americans in a grand community event at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. The chants of “Modi, Modi” filled the stadium as the prime minister walked on stage to address people of Indian origin.
The Prime Minister started his speech with the chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”. He began by saying that even the ‘Namaste’ has gone from being local to global, and credited the Indians settled overseas for it.
A series of cultural performances entertained the people gathered at the stadium, who were enthused as they waited for the Prime Minister’s arrival.
During his speech, Prime Minister fondly recalled his previous community events in the United States – 2014 at the Madison Square Garden, 2016 in San Jose, California, 2018 in Houston, Texas, 2023 in Washington and now in Long Island.
He credited the Indians settled in the United States. He said that they have been the bridge between the two nations and have helped strengthen the India-US relationship. He said “you all have come seven seas apart, but nothing can ever take the love of India away from your hearts and souls.”
He said that people from different parts of India may have settled overseas – here in the US too and have become US citizens, but “the sentiment that brings us all together is, ‘Bharat Mata ki…(Jai! chanted the spectators)’.”
“This sentiment is what keeps us united, and this is our biggest strength, no matter where we go in the world,” he said, adding that “It is this sentiment that helps us be peaceful, law abiding global citizens – what makes India proud of its children – and makes the world realise that India is the world’s ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’.”
Calling the Indians settled in the United States ‘Rashtradoot’ (Ambassadors), the prime minister thanked the Indian community in the United States for the respect India has earned in that country, adding that “It is our Indian values and culture that makes us One.”
WASHINGTON: Dhruvi Patel, a Computer Information System student from the USA, has been declared the winner of Miss India Worldwide 2024, the longest running Indian pageant outside of India.
Dhruvi aspires to be a Bollywood actor and UNICEF Ambassador.
“Winning Miss India Worldwide is such an incredible honour. It’s more than a crown – it represents my heritage, my values, and the opportunity to inspire others on a global scale,” Dhruvi said after her crowning in Edison, New Jersey.
Lisa Abdoelhak from Suriname was declared the first runner-up, while Malvika Sharma from the Netherlands was adjudged the second runner-up in the same race.
In the Mrs category, SuAnn Mouttet from Trinidad and Tobago was the winner, with Sneha Nambiar the first and Pawandip Kaur from the United Kingdom the second-runner up.
In the Teen category, Sierra Suret from Guadeloupe was crowned Miss Teen India Worldwide.
Shreya Singh from the Netherlands and Shradha Tedjoe from Suriname were declared the first and second runners-up.
The beauty pageant is organised by New York-based India Festival Committee and is headed by Indian-Americans Neelam and Dharmatma Saran.
The crown is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year.
MELBOURNE: Fourth India-Australia 2+2 Secretary-level Consultations
TORONTO: India’s response to diplomatic communication from Canada
NGERULMUD: Shri Harsh Kumar Jain concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Palau
STOCKHOLM: Dr. Neena Malhotra appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Sweden
2020 will be remembered as time of the pandemic. The fallout will be felt for years
MELBOURNE: Fourth India-Australia 2+2 Secretary-level Consultations
-
Diplomatic News1 year agoSTOCKHOLM: Dr. Neena Malhotra appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Sweden
-
Opinions4 years ago
2020 will be remembered as time of the pandemic. The fallout will be felt for years
-
Diplomatic News1 year agoMELBOURNE: Fourth India-Australia 2+2 Secretary-level Consultations
-
Diplomatic News1 year agoKINGSTON: Shri Subhash Prasad Gupta concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to St.Vincent and the Grenadines
-
Diplomatic News3 years agoROME : State Visit of Prime Minister of Italy to India
-
Culture3 years agoOSLO: Norway Dance Crew Grooves To Kala Chashma At Wedding, Wins Internet
-
Science2 years agoWASHINGTON: Indian-American Shohini Sinha To Head FBI’s Field Office In Salt Lake City
-
Science3 years agoGENEVA: World should prepare for El Nino, new record temperatures: UN.