Recently, after a great deal of legal wrangling, a jawan, who insisted on growing a beard on religious grounds has been terminated by the Army, terming him ‘an undesirable soldier’.
The case became more intense when the Supreme Court rejected an Air Warrior’s petition of sporting beard and ruled that except Sikhs, no one is allowed to keep a beard.
But why is there a mandatory clean shave for soldiers at first place?
It is all based on maintaining discipline and uniformity. Not only beards, the military does not even allow its men to have longer hairs that cover the ears or longer than ‘moderate length’.
Facial hair in the military has been common, prohibited, or an integral part of the uniform, all at the same time. Take, for instance, the Dogra regiment which asks its men to keep moustache which covers their cheeks.
But why Sikhs are allowed, you ask?
Sikhs are permitted to keep a well-maintained beard and untrimmed hair across the services. However, these permissions differ across services and regiments.
Having a beard is among the ‘fundamental tenets’ of Sikhism. The Army is a disciplined force and denominational differences among its members based on religion, caste etc. cannot be permitted.
Sikhs imply the basis of their religions with the 5 Ks – Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachcha and Kirpan. And Kesh (uncut hair) is one among it.
Yes, this means that if a Sikh does not want to have long hairs and sport a beard, he has to do so as long as he is enrolled as a Sikh in the services. He has to wear the same turban on short hairs just as other Sikhs. Here is the Air Force rule pointing to that:
So, why not Muslims? Keeping beard is Sunnah for them?
Unlike Sikhism, the Muslim religion doesn’t forbid shaving off the face of its member since all Muslims men do not sport a beard. The practice of sporting a beard is Sunnah, which means it is not forced and is not a compulsory (farz) norm in Islam.
Non-Sikh personnel are allowed to grow whiskers and moustaches, with the only regulation being that it “should be of moderate length”.
The practice of wearing a beard claimed on the basis of religion goes against Regulation 665 of the Defence Service Regulations, and is not conducive to the discipline of the Forces.
Are there any exceptions?
Unless you are a Sikh or are in Para SF, MARCOS or one of the Navy personnel who is allowed to grow beards subject to the permission of the respective Commanding Officer, no, there is no exceptions. The rule stands same for all.
However, the regular army on active duty is sometimes exempt from the facial hair regulations for the duration of their ‘tour’ if their task makes access to such facilities difficult.
Should this be the case?
Many armies allow their men to have a beard. In fact, most armies of the middle east have separate regiments for the ones who want to sport a beard.
Do you think keeping everyone’s sentiment in mind and having one such regiment is a good idea? Or do you think army should just let its soldiers decide what to do with their beards?
