Islamic leaders defend officer with 'religious beard'

Islamic religious leaders say that keeping a beard is a religious right of a Muslim and suspending a subordinate officer over his beard is a violation of his rights.

Meerut: Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh took a dig at the state government over Sub-Inspector Intesar Ali's suspension over his religious-style beard after being warned thrice to shave it off or seek permission to keep it.

Islamic religious leaders say that keeping a beard is a religious right of a Muslim and suspending a subordinate officer over his beard is a violation of his rights.

The government should also take action against the officer who suspended Ali.

Ali, posted in Baghpat district, has kept a beard according to the religion of Islam. According to the rules of the police department, keeping a religious beard is prohibited.

Superintendent of Police in Baghpat had several times urged Ali to remove his beard. Action was taken against him for not following the rules.

According to sources, keeping a religious-style beard is prohibited in the police department. Under the rules, permission has to be obtained from higher officials to keep religious beards.

Intesar Ali sent a letter to the DIG Meerut office seeking permission to keep his beard, but there was no response, sources said.

Muslim religious gurus have strongly objected to Ali's suspension.

Ulema Maulana Lutfur Rahman Sadiq Kasami says, ''Just as the people of the Sikh community have the freedom to keep a turban and a beard, similarly in Islam religion, people also have the fundamental right to keep the beard according to their religion. Just as Sikh follows their religion by keeping a beard and turban, similarly in Islam it is necessary to keep a beard. We demand from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that immediately suspend such filthy officer who is increasing the distance and spreading hatred among Hindus and Muslims. Some people want to end the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood.''