The Trump government of America has taken a big decision regarding the army. This decision of the Trump administration has now increased the tension of America’s Sikhs. US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth has issued a new order. Under this strict grooming policy released on 30 September, the US Army can no longer shave soldiers.
The rules before 2010 have been withdrawn in the US Army. That is, a beard has been banned for most soldiers. Only some special forces units will be given limited discounts.
Addressing the top military officials, Hegseth said that this step is necessary to restore discipline and lethality. He warned that unfair personal expression and absurd shaving profiles in the army would be eliminated.
It will be implemented within 60 days
According to the memo of Pentagon, all military branches will have to implement this policy within 60 days. It has been clarified that soldiers cannot keep facial hair (beard). Actually, since 2010, he was relaxed to shave for religious freedom till now. However, it has now been almost abolished.
Effect on religious communities
This new rule directly affects soldiers who shave for religious reasons – such as Sikhs, Orthodox Jews and Muslim community people.
The Sikh Coalition, which is a major advocacy organization, condemned the move, saying that it would force hundreds of religious soldiers to choose from their religious belief and service to their country.
Permission was received after 2010
Sikh soldiers in the US Army were not allowed to wear beard and turban till 2010, as the army rules allowed all soldiers to keep a clean-shav face. Because of this, many Sikh youth had to choose between their religion and dreams of serving in the army.
However, the situation started changing after years of legal battles and human rights campaigns. Many Sikh soldiers argued in front of the courts and the Congress that their religious identity – such a turban and beard – is an integral part of their faith, snatching it is a violation of religious freedom.
Gradually, the courts allowed Sikh soldiers to join the army while maintaining their identity under the Waver. The number of such cases increased, and then in 2017 the US Defense Department formally accepted this policy.
After this change, hundreds of Sikhs, Muslims and Jewish soldiers got a chance to serve in the army with their religious identity. Due to which this decision was considered a historic step towards religious equality in American military history. However, now the tension of Sikhs, Jews and Muslims has increased due to the beard ban in the army once again.
Effect on African-American soldiers
This policy will also affect the black troops who were given medical discounts due to painful skin disease called Pseudofoliculitis Barbae (PFB).
Now this exemption has been limited to 12 months – after that the soldiers will have to complete the treatment plan, otherwise they will be threatened with the removal of the service.
Criticism and controversy
Civil rights groups, ex -servicemen and religious organizations have described this policy as a big attack on discriminatory and religious freedom. Legal experts say that under the first amendment of the US Constitution, the government will have to prove that the beard causes serious damage to the security of the army which has not been proved in any court till now.
