Can the concession, given to the Sikh Community like sporting beard and wearing turban, be extended to Muslims in military and paramilitary services?
The question has arisen out of the recommendation made to defense ministry by Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission to allow Muslim cadets in National Cadet Corps (NCC) to sport beard on the lines the members of Sikh community.
The background of the case is that some Muslim cadets had been denied training in the NCC as they sported beard. Later they had petitioned to the Andhra Pradesh Minorities Commission requesting it to intervene in the matter and ensure that they be allowed by the NCC officials to sport beard.
Then the AP State Minorities Commission had asked the Defence Ministry to make some exemptions to Muslims as well like the ones being granted to Sikh community.
“The recommendations were discussed in Rajya Sabha on December 2 based on the answer submitted by Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar. Parikkar said the recommendations of the AP State Minorities Commission was being examined by the Ministry and necessary orders would be passed,” Abid Rasool Khan, chairman of the commission, said.
The Chairman expressed the hope that the government would pass necessary orders after taking note of the recommendations of the Commission.
“It will be a great achievement for the Commission and go down as a landmark in the history of India if orders are passed as per the recommendations of the Commission. There will then be parity between Sikhs and Muslims in the freedom to sport the beard in paramilitary services,” Khan said and added that sporting beard was fundamentally ordained in the tenets of Islam.
Earlier, the Commission had issued notices to Director General NCC.
The Commission is of the opinion that barring the Muslim cadets from undergoing training because they want to sport beard is tantamount to infringing upon their right to freedom and liberty. So, the Commission has recommended that the Muslims be allowed to sport beard like the members of Sikh community in services.
However, the NCC and Defense officials, who appeared before the Commission, cited Defense regulations barred facial hair in services and said they were applicable to NCC as well.
