Uttar Pradesh: Muslim police sub-inspector suspended for keeping beard

A Muslim police sub-inspector has been suspended for growing a beard and flouting dress code norms allegedly without the department’s permission.  Intsar Ali, posted at Ramala police station in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh has claimed that his letter seeking permission has been pending with the authorities since November 2019, and that the beard was never a problem in his 25 years of service.

According to the rules of police dress code only only Sikhs are allowed to keep a beard while all other policemen have to be clean-shaven, said Manoj Singh public relations officer of the Baghpat police.

“If any of them wants to grow a beard, they have to seek permission from the department,” he said. Singh added Ali was issued a notice to seek permission from the department but he did not comply."

Baghpat SP Abhishek Singh said Thursday: “Ali was suspended yesterday as he kept his beard without permission and even after repeated instructions, he failed to comply with the dress code norms. Earlier, he was also issued a show cause notice on the matter. SI Ali has been suspended for indiscipline and a probe has been ordered against him.”

The Baghpat police added in a statement, “Intsar Ali was earlier served with a notice for not following uniform protocol and trimming beard in the past. Despite this, Ali continued to flout dress code norms without any permission from the concerned authorities/irresponsibility towards his duties.”