SGPC hails inclusion of first Sikh in U.S. Army in three decades

AMRITSAR - Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhk Committee (SGPC) has hailed the inclusion of first Sikh in the U.S. Army in last three decades, as it believes that it will enable people to learn about Sikhs.

“The inclusion of first Sikh in the United States Army will help bring awareness about Sikhs’ unique identity to the western world,” said SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar.

Makkar hoped that the Sikh, who has made his way to the US army living in consonance with the Sikh code of conduct, will always stick to his faith and without forgetting to give due respect to Sikhs’ religious feelings and articles of faith.

“Making a career is important in life. But I hope that he will not deviate from Sikh maryada (code of conduct), ” he said.

He said wearing cap for a Sikh was prohibited under Sikh code of conduct but it was up to him to decide.

He also expressed hope that US government wouldn’t compel him for something that could hurt a Sikh’s religious feelings.

On the turban issue, Makkar informed that he has already urged the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the turban issue with the visiting US president Barack Obama. “At our own level we have written to US embassy in India and would also approach US Sikh population to jointly take up the issue at international platform,” he added.

Simran Preet Singh Lamba has become the US Army’s first enlisted Sikh soldier in about 30 years to go through basic combat training without having to shed his turban .

Lamba was permitted to wear his turban and retain beard. The exemption is preventing Sikhs from enlisting. By Sawinder Singh(ANI)