3 Sikh-American Soldiers File New Lawsuit Against Defense Dept.

Three Sikh-American soldiers filed a new lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense Tuesday morning, according to The Sikh Coalition. Specialist Kanwar Singh, Specialist Harpal Singh, and Private Arjan Singh Ghotra are seeking to serve in the U.S. military while also practicing their Sikh faith and keeping their Sikh articles of faith — turban, unshorn hair and beard — intact, NBC News reported.

Despite making requests for religious accommodation months ago, Singh, Singh, and Ghotra said they are seeking an answer now so they can begin basic combat training with their units in May.

"The lead plaintiff has been waiting over seven months. The Army has been failing to make decisions on whether these patriotic Sikhs will be able serve their country while abiding by the tenets of their faith. In doing so, the Army is violating their constitutional and statutory rights," Harsimran Kaur, The Sikh Coalition's legal director, told NBC News

Before 1974, Sikh Americans were allowed to serve in the U.S. military with their articles of faith intact. But since 1981, stricter grooming regulations have required requests for religious accommodation on a case-by-case basis, and only three have been granted.

Contact Us