New Delhi: The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of Army officer Samuel Kamalesan after he refused to enter the inner part of his regiment’s temple for a pooja. The court agreed with the Army’s view that his conduct broke discipline and affected the morale of his unit. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said Kamalesan relied on his personal interpretation of his faith while in uniform, which weakened his command presence.
The court noted that a pastor had advised Kamalesan that entering a temple for a regimental activity did not violate Christian practice. The Bench said he continued to resist orders, which insulted his troops. It called this the grossest form of indiscipline and stressed that an officer must lead by example.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that Kamalesan’s right to practise his religion under Article 25 should not lose protection when he joins the forces. Justice Bagchi responded that Article 25 protects essential religious practices, not personal interpretations.
The Army told the court that Kamalesan did not attend mandatory parades despite several reminders. It said devotional practices motivate soldiers and help build unity. It argued that distancing from these activities reduces cohesion during operations.
The Delhi High Court had earlier upheld his dismissal. It held that Kamalesan placed his religious objections above a lawful command, which violated military ethos. Kamalesan had said that his bond with troops was built through shared duty, not religious activities. The Union government responded that regimental traditions are important for morale during combat.
