New Delhi, November 25, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the dismissal of Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, a Christian Army officer, calling his refusal to participate in a regimental ‘sarva dharma’ ceremony “the grossest kind of indiscipline”.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi rejected Lt Kamalesan’s plea against his removal, observing that his conduct undermined the spirit of unity expected from military leadership.
“What message was he giving his troops? He should have been removed for this alone,” the CJI remarked, noting that the officer continued to oppose the ritual even after counselling by a Pastor.
Lt Kamalesan, who joined the Army in 2017 and served in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, had refused to enter the ‘sarva dharma sthal’ in the Cantonment area, claiming that participating in a space containing a gurdwara and a temple violated his Protestant Christian beliefs. He sought exemption from entering the sanctum sanctorum during the ceremony.
The Army dismissed him in 2021, stating that his refusal damaged troop morale and unit cohesion. The Delhi High Court had upheld this decision on May 30 earlier this year.
Representing the officer, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the military could not compel anyone to engage in rituals against their faith. He cited Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, insisting his client was willing to enter the area but should not be forced to offer worship.
The Bench disagreed, questioning where Christian doctrine prohibited entering places of worship of other religions. “Article 25 protects essential practices, not every individual sentiment,” the court said, calling his conduct inconsistent with the discipline required of Army officers.
The judges also questioned how he could lead soldiers if he refused to accompany them into places they hold sacred. “Gurdwaras are among the most secular spaces. His behaviour shows disrespect to other faiths,” the CJI observed.
Emphasising the Indian Army’s tradition of secularism, the court said, “You may excel in many things, but you failed to honour the sentiments of your own troops.”
The ruling closes the legal challenge against the officer’s dismissal.
