U.S. Army Makes Big Decision About Ban on Sikh Soldier's Beard and Turban — but Is The Battle Really Over?

A religious liberty law firm is cautiously optimistic about the U.S. Army's granting of a temporary religious accommodation to a Sikh member of the armed forces, allowing him to keep a beard and wear a turban.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said in a statement that the decision allows Captain Simratpal Singh, 27, to serve in the Army, while still abiding by his sincerely held religious beliefs — but the temporary provision only lasts for the next month while the Army further contemplates.

Singh told the New York Times that his hair had never been cut in his life when he entered United States Military Academy at West Point years ago, but he allowed a barber to chop off his locks at the time, feeling forced between choosing between his faith and his service.

While he kept trying to find a middle ground or an exemption, Singh had no luck — until now.

Nearly 10 years later, though, he'll no longer be forced — at least for the next month — to violate his religious beliefs by being compelled to cut his hair, with the Army allowing him to grow it out and wrap it in a turban, the Times reported.

Captain Simratpal Singh is fighting for the right to keep his beard (The Sikh Coalition)

"My Sikh faith and military service are two core parts of who I am," Singh said in a statement. "I am proud to serve my country as an officer and I look forward to being able to continue serving without having to give up my religious beliefs."

The exemption that was granted to Singh is only the fourth of its kind since a ban was put into place in the 1980s, with the Army still widely refusing to accept individuals who keep beards, even for religious reasons, according to the law firm.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is hoping that the temporary exemption will be made permanent, with firm attorney Eric Baxter asking why the government is "using the beard ban to discriminate against any Sikh American."

The remaining issue is whether Singh will be gain a permanent accommodation and whether the military will more broadly begin to rethink the rules and regulations surrounding religious beards; Singh said that he's willing to sue if the exemption isn't permanently solidified.

It's an issue that Harsimran Kaur, legal director for the Sikh Coalition, believes needs to be reformed. Kaur, whose organization is serving as co-counsel on the case, said that Singh's service in Afghanistan and in the military more broadly proves that the ban is patently "unnecessary."

"It is once again clear to military leadership that nothing about the Sikh articles of faith actually prevents excellence in military service," he said in a statement.

Singh's exemption was secured by appealing to provisions under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a 1993 law that "prohibits the Army from suppressing a soldier’s sincere religious exercise absent a compelling government reason," according to the Becket Fund.

As for Singh, he's simply overjoyed that he now has the ability to serve and comply with his faith.

"It is wonderful. I had been living a double life, wearing a turban only at home," he told the Times. "My two worlds have finally come back together."

Read more about the Sikh community here.

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