The Defence Ministry is looking into the recommendation by State Minorities Commission to reconsider and allow Muslim students in National Cadet Corps (NCC) to sport beards on the lines of exemption given to the Sikh community. Some Muslim cadets had requested in their application to direct NCC to allow beard. Taking cognizance of complaints, Minority Commission had written a letter to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The recommendations were debated in Rajya Sabha. Orders will soon be issued in this connection. This would be the biggest achievement of the Commission.
In a written reply, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission has taken cognizance of complaints about Muslim students being barred from NCC for sporting a beard.
He said that the commission had in its order dated 11 September has recommended to the Ministry of Defence to examine and reconsider the matter in detail and pass necessary orders allowing Muslims to sport beard on lines of the exemption given to Sikh community. “The matter is being looked into,” he said.
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