NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 25, 2025 (The Hindu): The Supreme Court today upheld the dismissal of a Christian Army officer who refused to enter the sanctum sanctorum of his regiment’s temple to perform puja, saying that he had used his “personal understanding” of what his religion permits to break military discipline and, in the process, insulted his troops. “Leaders have to lead by example. You insulted your troops. When a pastor, a leader of your faith, counseled you that it was alright, you should have left it at that. You were cantankerous… You cannot have your private understanding of what your religion permits. That too, in uniform,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, accompanied by Justice Joymalya Bagchi on the Bench, remarked. The Chief Justice described the refusal of Samuel Kamalesan, the petitioner, to participate in the regimental religious activity as the “grossest kind of indiscipline.” “You may be outstanding in 100 things, but the Indian Army is known for its secular approach… You have failed to respect the sentiments of your own soldiers,” the Chief Justice said.

Justice Bagchi asked senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who appeared for Mr. Kamalesan, to point out which Christian religious text barred a follower from entering a temple. Mr. Sankaranarayanan argued that the fundamental right of his client to practice a religion under Article 25 of the Constitution cannot be taken away merely because he had joined the Armed Forces. “Article 25 protects essential religious features, not every sentiment,” Justice Bagchi responded. The Delhi High Court had upheld the Army’s action in a judgment in May, which held that Mr. Kamalesan “kept his religion above a lawful command from his superior. This clearly is an act of indiscipline”. The High Court had concluded that his defiance was in violation of “essential military ethos.”

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