A policeman who has served the department for 34 years was told that he ought to shave his beard, which he has been keeping for the last 29 years and to which no one ever objected.
Ehasanullah Haq Ghazi Sheikh, 54, posted at Dadar police station, had taken permission for keeping beard in 1977 and ever since there was no problem. Neither his colleagues nor superiors objected.
Surprisingly, Deputy Commission RK Mor issued a memo to him asking him to shave his beard or face disciplinary action. Sheikh was asked to comply within three days of the issuance of the letter. After 29 years the sudden objection surprised the Assistant Sub-Inspector who has now approached superiors.
Interestingly, the rules vary from one state to another about Muslim policemen keeping beard. In some states there is no such law prohibiting Muslims while in other states you have to take permission. However, the High Court had recently ruled that any Muslim policeman couldn’t be stopped from keeping the beard. This should have cleared the air. But it has not. Does keeping ebard makes a man fundamentalist or what? Earlier, the Army jawan Haidar Ali of Assam Rifles who was dismissed from service over the same issue was reinstated by Supreme Court.
Adnan (www.indscribe.blogspot.com)
Assalam Alaikum
You got nice informative site here.. Keep it up!
May Allah Reward you for this..
Jazaak Allah Khair
This reminds me of the incident where the teachers going on Haj were told to refrain from anti-national activities.
(http://indianmuslims.in/no-anti-national-activities-during-leave-muslim-teachers-going-for-haj-told/)
Just like the Education Officer in that case, the deputy commissioner here seems to have a stereotypical image of muslims.
I hope Mr. Sheikh gets justice from his superiors, and that the deputy commissioner realises that his mental image of Muslims is wrong.
The problem of muslims in armed forces is not new. The recent uproar over the so called census of muslims in armed forces and subsequent opposition of the matter by pseudo nationalist and criminal organisations is the end result. UPA Govt which apprently initiated the move was just to start the things so that they can be stalled. One can’t understand what is there which we do not want to know & show? The dismal level of representation of Muslims in the armed and paramilitary forces. I think this is know but requires to be highlighted.
One of my friend, who brothers are serving in the Indian Air Force for last 22 & 15 years have been telling about the change of policies viz a viz the permission to grow beard as and when the govt or the chief changes at Dehli. It is plain that this is directed purely at Muslims because Sikhs are never questioned. During the tenure of the last Air Chief, there has been very strict instruction regarding the bearded people and the eldest brother of mine was forced to shave off his beard of 9 years. There has been ruling in the past that the person has to seek permission every time he gets transferred to a new station. It is eveident that there has been no clearcut policies on these matter and rouge elements take advantage of this to harass muslims. Armed forces especially IAF has started recruiting men from the valley of Kashmir recently. Most of the boys are beared and on recruitment they were enrolled in original. On their transfer to another station for advanced training they were told to show the permission to grow beard or to shave off. Most of the boys asked for release reefusing to shave with the argument that there has never been any restriction and during their tests for enrolment into the IAF they have been sprting beard.
Will anybody from the top of IAF pyramid who are paid to do policy making look into and sort out this problem once for all.
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I am an indian and I am a HIndu Bhramin. I am trying to learn more about Islam and trying to figure out what is going on with it with the terrorism and all.
I truly believe that Muslims of India are just as much indian as any hindu or sikh. I know islam has got a bad name now days but i believe its due to some of the extremists. I myself have a lot of muslim friends and they are some of hte nicest ppl i know. They have even been to the temple with me couple of times and show interest in hindusim as mcuh i do in islam.
I do feel its wrong for the Indian Government to ask Muslim indians to shave their beards in service. But a solution would be to have two pictures of them. One without the beard and one with the beard. Then the person can do as he likes. either keep it or shave it. This would solve the problem of identifying people.
Politicans all over india Wether HIndu, Sikh, or Muslim seek their own personal intersts. They have no interest in mind for the general public and use religion as their personal sword to fight the elections.
Hi Indian Muslims,
This is really an informative website. I found you guys through Google News. Its awesome that you are putting out an alternative viewpoint in the mainstream media. I appreciate your articles and features. Keep it up, will ya?
Allah bless you.
It seems India on one hand grown and on the other hand getting worse than earlier – losing secular character.
I would like to tell the people like Deputy Commission RK Mor to perform their duty instead of bringing hatred among the peace loving citizens. When a Deputy commission – who seems to be educated has this point of view how about a labour – Sitting in Canada I feel very bad to read this incident.
Take care guys.
Haamed Pasha Habibi
Toronto
Hi Pasha
I do agree with you. People living abroad have a different view of Indian horizon and growth.
Deputy Commissioner sitting at a reputable position have these feeling – I do feel ashamed. I am a Hindu, living in Brampton, Toronto – I had several muslim friends here as well as in Secunderabad,India – all Muslims are not criminals and terrorist. To me it look like a war on OIL between West and Muslim countries – why Indian to get involved in this tag-of-war. India is doing good and our policies are admirable – keeping good relations with Muslim world and West.
I suggest all Indians to deplore the action of Dep Commissiner.
Thank you for reading.
Rajender Kumar
That Muslim Cop has a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT of sporting a beard , kkeping in like with the Sunnah of the Prophet(saw). What matters is how he performs his duty , how many criminals he catches etc.
Salam! good to know u guyz working really hard.May ALLAH give barakah in ur life also in all lives of those people who are trying to spread and enlightenment through out the world.
Also some1 should make an effort to highlight these incidents in the mainstream media about the discrimination based on religion.
I personally had Experience with SATYAM computers when i was working in hydeerabad.
But l8r they gave me permission when I went to VP Hr.
I feel the fault lies with us if we make them realise that Beard is part of culture as Sikhs have in their religion then it should not be a problem.
Most of the people in today’s world go by hearsay rather than making logical decision of their own.Thnx,Am.
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