Sikh student sues Army to get into ROTC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A Sikh student at Hofstra University has sued the U.S. Army, saying he should not be forced to choose between the ROTC and his religious practices.

Iknoor Singh, a sophomore, was told he could only enlist in the Reserve Officers Training Corps if he cut his beard and hair and stopped wearing a turban, the American Civil Liberties Union said. His lawsuit, filed in Washington, is also backed by the United Sikhs.

The lawsuit charges the Army is violating the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by forcing Sikhs and others whose religion makes demands that involve grooming or clothing to conform to Army regulations.

"Telling Mr. Singh that he must violate his religion in order to seek a religious exemption is a classic Catch-22, and is an independent violation of RFRA," noted Arthur Spitzer, legal director of the ACLU chapter in Washington.

Singh, who was born in New York City, hopes to become a military intelligence officer. He speaks Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi as well as English.

"Choosing between one's faith and serving one's country is a choice that no one should have to make," he said.

Hofstra, in Hempstead, N.Y., released a statement saying it supports Singh's lawsuit. The university said he is currently enrolled in an ROTC class and participating in training to the extent allowed by Army regulations, although he is not a full cadet.