Muslims in Rajasthan's police force will now be able to keep a beard, but they will first have to seek the permission of the police headquarters. The state government has decided, on the recommendation of the state minority commission, to allow Muslim policemen to keep a beard.
The British had disallowed beards in the police and armed forces. The only exception were the Sikhs, who could wear turbans and grow beards. According to the chairman of the state minority commission, Nizam Mohammed, the commission recommended to the state government that although there is no religious compulsion to keep a beard, rules should be amended to allow policeman who wish to do so.
A policeman lodged a protest at the police headquarters when he was asked to shave off his beard. The police headquarters then sought the advice of the state government as it was a sensitive matter. The matter came up for discussion at various levels and, finally, the state government permitted Muslims in the police force to keep a beard.
According to home minister Gulab
Singh Shaktawat, if religion compels a person to keep a beard, then in
a secular state, nothing should be imposed to hurt the feelings of the
people. BJP vice president Ghanshyam Tiwari has, however, opposed the decision
of the government.