"Only Sikhs can grow beards": Muslim cop suspended for keeping beard without permission

Baghpat: It is a well-known fact that a beard adds to social status for men and is treated as a traditional sign of masculinity. However, you will be absolutely astounded to learn that a bearded Muslim policeman was recently suspended for sporting a beard!

The man in question hails from the state of Uttar Pradesh. Intesar Ali, a man belonging to the Muslim faith, was ordered thrice to take permission to grow a beard and was finally suspended from the force for "non-compliance."

Abhishek Singh, the SP of Baghpat, said that as per the police manual., only policemen belonging to the Sikh community can keep beards while all others must remain clean-shaven.

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“If any police personnel want to keep a beard, he has to seek permission for the same. Intesar Ali was repeatedly asked to seek permission but he did not comply and kept the beard without permission,” the SP said.

Ali joined the police force as sub-inspector and was posted in Baghpat since the past three years. He told reporters that he had applied permission to keep a beard but got no response.

In December 2003, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Muslims in uniform can grow beards. For instance, the Indian Navy's personnel are allowed to grow beards subject to the permission of their commanding officers.

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