The Supreme Court has upheld service rules and provisions that impose ‘clean shaven’ rules for the Indian Air Force.
Dismissing a petition by a Muslim person, the court said the Air Force was well within its authority to lay down the rule prohibiting the sporting of a beard for its personnel.
Many organizations, including the state police departments and central security forces, impose strict uniform and dress code guidelines on their members.
Besides requiring them to wear clothes of a particular color, style and specifications, many of them also have rules about how much hair they can sport on their head and face.
Some exceptions are given in case of religious minorities, including Sikhs, who hold religious beliefs that they must not cut their hair. Sikhs in the Indian Army are allowed to keep a beard and have long hair, which is kept in place by their turban. (Agencies)