Hyderabad, May 31 -- The Delhi High Court on Friday, May 30, upheld the termination of an Army officer for his consistent refusal to participate in religious regimental parades owing to his Christian faith.

Commanding officer Samuel Kamalesan was dismissed from the Indian Army in 2021. In his plea, Kamalesan said that he merely sought exemption from entering the innermost part of the temple during rituals such as puja, havan, or aarti. He said that this action was not only a sign of respect to his Christian faith but also a sign of respect to the sentiments of his troops which might be hurt by his non-participation.

However, according to the Army, his actions undermined unit cohesion and troop morale.

Kamalesan was commissioned in the ...