After 10 years of service in the Indian Army, Makhtum Hossain gets suspended for keeping a beard. He was cleared by his commanding officer earlier with conditions that Makhtum will have to take a new photo for his identity card and keep the beard as long as he is serving in the army. However the ordinance was amended and Makhtum’s commanding officer ordered him to get rid of the beard. Makhtum refused and charged Indian Army on grounds of racial discrimination in Karnataka court. He was brought in front of the disciplinary committee and got suspended after their verdict. The ‘Sikh’ are still allowed to keep beard under ‘religious consideration’ though.

Transcribed by Nazmus Sakib Aman