No, because Sikhism is quite clear on the beard and turban - it is compulsory for all Sikhs, and there are no multiple viewpoints on this issue. Infact, it was recently declared that Sikhs who shave their hair were to be excommunicated.
Well it depends on the culture of the armed forces - a "mullah beard" would definitely be unacceptable because its basically flaunting your religion - which is not conducive to the cohesion of the armed forces.
The Sikh beard on the other hand doesn't send such signals.
In Pakistan perhaps such a beard would be interpreted differently, because soldiers are expected to be good muslims also.
Flint,
I can assure you that just as Guru Gobind Sing ordained beard for the Sikh men, the Prophet of Islam also told the Muslims to grow their beards and trim their mustaches. The problem here is that you are making an exception for the Sikhs but disallowing it for another group.
Also contrary to what you are stating here, the issue is not one of keeping a long or "mullah" beard as you term it. It is one of not allowing a beard at all for the Muslim personnel.
challenged the validity of the IAF’s instructions, dated February 24 and April 1, 2003, prohibiting Muslim personnel from growing a beard.
If the beard is kept properly and trimmed appropriately, its no problem. The point about Sikh beard not sending any signals while the Muslim one sending is pretty nonsensical. For a non-Sikh, it looks like a statement because a Sikh has been allowed to "flaunt" his religion while none of the rest can follow suit even if it means that an existing extension in the dress code (Sikh beard) is not being extended to them.
In the end its for IAF to decide, however the ruling where a beard is ok for the Sikhs but not for Muslims is pretty illogical.
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