Chennai. Madras High Court in its judgment said that India is a country of diverse religions and customs, minority communities, especially Muslim employees cannot be punished for keeping beard. The court also said in its order that according to Madras Police Gazette, officers cannot be allowed to keep beard, but Muslim police officers are entitled to keep beard throughout their life. The court said that strict discipline is required in the police department, but this does not mean that any employee from minority community can be punished for keeping beard.
The court was hearing a petition filed by G Abdul Khader Ibrahim. Ibrahim was promoted to the post of Grade-I Police Constable in 2019. An inquiry was initiated for not reporting to duty even after completion of 31 days of earned leave and keeping a beard against the order of the Madras Police Gazette. The investigating officer found the allegations to be true and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Armed Reserve) ordered the withholding of salary increment for 3 years with cumulative effect. However, after the appeal, the Police Commissioner amended the order and reduced the time for withholding salary increment from 3 years to two years. After which Ibrahim approached the court.
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