Indian Army officer fired for skipping temple rituals— Court backs action

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a Christian Indian Army officer who challenged his termination from service for refusing to fully participate in mandatory religious parades at a regimental Hindu temple.

A division bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur ruled that the officer’s refusal to follow a lawful command from his superior constituted indiscipline under the Army Act, regardless of his personal faith.

The officer, who served as a Troop Leader, had declined to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the regimental temple, citing his monotheistic beliefs. The court clarified that the matter was not about religious freedom, but about following orders that are deemed necessary for unit cohesion and troop morale.

“In this case, the petitioner kept his religion above a lawful command. This is clearly an act of indiscipline,” the judgment stated.

The officer was dismissed from service without pension and gratuity through a March 2021 order signed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The court upheld this decision, affirming that participation in regimental rituals is part of the ethos and discipline of the Indian Army, and must be followed by all officers, regardless of religion.

This development has sparked conversations about religious neutrality and the increasing role of religious symbolism within military institutions.