Obama to look into demand of removing curbs on Sikhs in army
Washington, December 18
US President Barack Obama has “promised” Sikhs to look into their demand to allow them to serve in the American military “without restrictions” on their articles of faith such as growing a beard and wearing a turban, according to a prominent community organisation.
Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, met Obama at the White House on Wednesday and pressed him to allow Sikhs in US Armed Forces without any restrictions, the organisation said in a release. Rajwant and his wife were invited to the White House Holiday reception hosted by the First Family. “You have to allow Sikhs to serve in the Army without any restriction. They are only able to serve if Pentagon gives them an exception. This needs to go. Please do not leave office without taking away this restriction against Sikhs,” Singh told the President. “US President promised to look into the matter and agreed to follow up,” the release said.
It further quoted Obama as saying: “Sikhs are great warriors. I will look into it and will follow up.” — PTI
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