'Beauty of the land vest in its diversity', Madras HC allows Muslim cop to keep beard on duty

The Madras High Court upheld the right of Muslim policemen in Tamil Nadu to maintain trimmed and tidy beards while on duty. The decision was handed down by Justice L Victoria Gowri on July 5, in response to a case involving G Abdul Khadar Ibrahim, a police constable who had been penalized for appearing before a superior officer with a beard following his pilgrimage to Mecca.

“India being a land of diverse religions and customs, the beauty and uniqueness of the land vest in the diversity of the citizen’s beliefs and cultures,” Justice Gowri said.

Ibrahim had embarked on a 31-day pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in 2018 and requested an extension of his leave upon return due to an infection in his left leg. However, an assistant commissioner not only refused his request but also questioned him about his beard.

The deputy commissioner of police framed charges against Ibrahim for failing to return to duty on time and for maintaining a beard, which was claimed to be in violation of the Madras Police Gazette.

Ibrahim’s counsel argued that, according to the 1957 Madras Police Gazette, Muslim officials were permitted to have beards. This argument was accepted by the court, which emphasized that punishing Muslim policemen for maintaining beards, a practice rooted in religious commandments, was unwarranted. The court highlighted the importance of India's diverse religious and cultural landscape, underscoring that this diversity is a fundamental aspect of the nation's identity.

In 2021, Ibrahim faced a significant penalty when the deputy commissioner directed that his salary increment be stopped for three years, with future increments postponed. Although the Madurai commissioner of police later reduced the punishment to a two-year halt in increments, Ibrahim challenged this order in the High Court.

The High Court, upon reviewing the case, found the punishment to be excessively harsh and quashed the June 2021 order. The court remanded the matter back to the commissioner, instructing that appropriate orders be issued in accordance with the law.