In Chandigarh on October 5, Sukhbir Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
He urged the government to intervene with the United States over a new ban that would prohibit Sikh soldiers from keeping beards in the U.S. military.
The letter follows remarks by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that the Pentagon will limit facial‑hair grooming for all service members, a rule that would effectively outlaw the beard, a key symbol of Sikh faith.
Sukhbir Badal said Sikhs worldwide feel “deeply anguished” by the decision and that the move goes against the U.S. principle of religious freedom.
Badal reminded Jaishankar that, in 2010, the U.S. had allowed Sikh officers – Capt. Simran Preet Singh Lamba and Dr. Maj Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi – to keep their turbans and beards as part of their religious identity. He warned that a blanket ban would erase the five “K” symbols (kesh – uncut hair, kara – steel bracelet, kanga – wooden comb, kachera – cotton undergarments, and kirpan – ceremonial sword) that many Sikhs wear, including in the armed forces.
The North American Punjabi Association has already opposed the Pentagon’s directive, saying it rolls back religious accommodations for facial hair.
Sikh leaders in India hope the Indian government can lobby the U.S. to reverse the ban and protect soldiers’ right to practice their faith.
Source: ianslive
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