Muslim cop moves HC, says police chief not allowing him to grow beard

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Muslim police officer in Kochi has moved the Kerala high court on Monday, challenging the state police chief ’s refusal to allow him to grow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Muslim police officer in Kochi has moved the Kerala high court on Monday, challenging the state police chief ’s refusal to allow him to grow a beard as a part of his religious beliefs.

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In his petition, K Riyas, a civil police officer posted at the armed reserve camp in Ernakulam, said he was allowed to grow his beard during Ramzan but when he sought permission to have a permanent beard, he was asked to approach the state police chief.

The DGP declined his request, saying the police manual did not have any provision for a beard.

The high court admitted his writ petition and issued notices to the state government, police chief and the SP of the reserved police battalion.

In his plea, Riyas said the manual did not have any provision for banning the beard either. He said the police chief ’s decision amounted to denial of the fundamental right to practice one’s religion guaranteed under the Constitution. He said Sikhs were allowed to grow their beards and hair in police and military service, it was unfair to deny the same privilege to Muslims.

The army allows non-Sikhs to sport a temporary beard on special occasions, but with the permission of the commanding officer. The navy also allows its personnel to grow beard with the commanding officer’s permission. However, there is no such provision in the air force.