IAF personnel can't sport beard on religious grounds: SC

The Supreme Court has said that Indian Air Force personnel cannot sport a beard on religious grounds adding that policies on personal appearance are not intended to discriminate against religious beliefs but to ensure uniformity and discipline which are indispensable to every armed force.

The apex court observed that for the effective functioning of a large combat force, the members must bond together by a sense of espirit-de-corps, without distinctions of caste, creed, colour or religion and while on duty, every member of the Indian Air Force is required to wear uniform and not display any sign distinguishing one from another.

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, also comprises Justices DY Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao ruled this while dismissing appeals of two



Muslim personnel of IAF.

Airmen Mohammed Zubair and Ansari Aaftab Ahmed had challenged dismissal of their plea by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in which they had sought setting aside of the Air Force order directing them to shave off their beard.By an August 26, 2005 communication, the personnel were informed that under the current policy of the Air Force dated February 24, 2003 and July 9, 2003, an airman was not permitted to have a beard on religious grounds.

The bench said there was no merit in the appeals as they were unable to show that their case falls within the ambit of Regulation 425(b) which says "personnel whose religion prohibits the cutting of the hair or shaving of the face of its members will be permitted to grow hair or retain beard.