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HAF files amicus brief on safeguarding religious rights for prisoners
In separate amicus briefs, the Hindu American Foundation and Sikh Coalition have urged the Supreme Court to allow monetary damages for inmates denied religious accommodations under federal law.
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Pranavi Sharma - Sat, 06, Sep 2025
- 03:10 EDT
- 15
HAF logo. / HAF
The Hindu American Foundation filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court on Sept.3 in the case Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections, urging the court to allow prisoners to seek monetary damages when their religious rights are violated.
The case involves Mr. Landor, a Rastafarian who was forcibly shaved by prison officials after being transferred to a new facility to serve the final three weeks of his sentence. For nearly 20 years, Landor’s religious practice of not cutting his hair had been accommodated without issue. The incident occurred despite Landor showing officials a court case requiring accommodation of his beliefs.
According to the Foundation, this case reflects a broader challenge faced by religious minorities in the prison system. The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) is intended to guarantee accommodation, but inmates often struggle to secure those rights.
“The question before the Court is whether inmates should be able to receive money damages when their religious rights are violated,” the Foundation stated. “HAF believes the answer is yes.”
On Sept.3 in Washington, D.C., the Sikh Coalition also filed an amicus brief with Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Clinic, supporting Landor’s case.
ALSO READ: Sikh Coalition backs Supreme Court case on religious rights of prisoners
HAF Legal Director Needhy Shah said the law has not provided sufficient protection for minority faiths.
“RLUIPA is all bark, no bite for inmates who belong to minority faiths and face endless challenges when seeking accommodations,” Shah said. “It’s time to put the bite back in this law by holding prison officials accountable through money damages.”
The Foundation pointed to similar concerns in Tripathy v. McKoy, a case involving a Hindu inmate. Tripathy was required to participate in a rehabilitation program that demanded he accept guilt for a conviction he maintained was wrongful. His refusal was rooted in Hindu beliefs that value satya (truthfulness), and his conviction was later overturned.
HAF has filed briefs in multiple cases to highlight the lack of awareness about Hindu practices among prison officials. The organization argued that RLUIPA’s current framework falls short and that remedies must reflect the realities faced by religious minorities in US prisons.
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