US lawmaker urges Pentagon to reconsider beard-shaving policy for Sikhs
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New York (PTI): Highlighting concerns for Sikh Americans serving in the military, a prominent US lawmaker has urged the Pentagon to reconsider a policy that calls for a blanket beard-shaving mandate among service members, emphasising that retaining uncut hair and a beard is a core tenet of their faith.
In a recent letter addressed to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Congressman Thomas R Suozzi underscored that Sikhs have fought alongside American troops for generations, including in both World War I and World War II.
"For Sikhs, serving one's nation is a sacred duty, an embodiment of the Sant-Sipahi (saint-soldier) ideal that blends faith and service. The Sikh religion requires adherents to maintain uncut hair and beards as a symbol of devotion and equality before God," the US representative for New York's 3rd congressional district said.
Suozzi acknowledged the importance of military professionalism and uniform standards but underlined that faith-based or medical accommodations should not be overlooked.
He said some of his Sikh, Muslim, and African American constituents fear that a “beard ban,” if implemented without religious, cultural, or medical exemptions, could inadvertently prevent them from serving their country in uniform.
In his address to American general and flag officers last month, Hegseth had said, "We’re going to cut our hair, shave our beards, and adhere to standards... The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos.”
Suozzi said these remarks have raised questions among otherwise "highly motivated" Americans whose faith or medical conditions require the maintenance of facial hair.
"I believe it is entirely possible to uphold the highest standards while also preserving reasonable, case-by-case accommodations -- ensuring that those willing to serve can do so without compromising their deeply held beliefs," he said.
The Congressman noted that for many Muslim men, maintaining a beard is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah, a deeply recommended religious practice symbolising modesty and devotion to God.
For many African Americans, he said, hair is deeply tied to cultural identity and heritage.
"Additionally, shaving can pose serious medical challenges due to natural hair texture, often causing pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) -- a chronic and painful skin condition disproportionately affecting Black service members, who represent nearly one-fifth of all enlisted personnel," Suozzi said.
He argued that existing legal protections, such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), already allow for such a balance.
"I am confident your Department can continue maintaining the high standards of appearance and discipline... while preserving these longstanding accommodations under RFRA and related Department of War policies. Such a balanced approach will ensure that those who are both patriotic and devout can continue to serve honourably, without being forced to choose between faith and country," Suozzi said.
His appeal comes alongside the introduction of the Bipartisan Indian American Heritage Resolution last week, which he and Republican Young Kim co-sponsored. The resolution was introduced to mark the celebration of Diwali.
The resolution celebrates the history and contributions of Indian Americans across the United States and "condemns acts of hate, discrimination and violence against Indian Americans and the broader South Asian community, including those targeted for their Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Muslim, or other religious or cultural identity," Suozzi's office said in a press release.
"Indian Americans are an integral part of our community in Southern California and across the United States. Their success stories reflect the very best of the American Dream," said Kim, the US representative for California's 40th congressional district.
"I’m proud to stand with the Indian American community as we introduce this resolution just in time for Diwali, a moment to honour their achievements and the values that light the way for our nation,” she said.
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Acts preceding actual partial penetration without ejaculation is attempt to rape: Chhattisgarh HC
Bilaspur (PTI): Noting that the act of the convict preceded the actual partial penetration but without ejaculation, the Chhattisgarh High Court has reduced the seven-year sentence awarded by a trial court to a man in a 2004 rape case and convicted him for attempted rape instead.
Partially accepting the accused's appeal, the High Court has reduced the convict's sentence to three years and six months' rigorous imprisonment. A fine of Rs 200 was imposed.
"The proof of penetration, even if partial, is necessary to prove rape. The evidence available in the present case does not prove complete rape, but it does prove that the accused attempted rape. The evidence available in the present case does not prove complete rape, but it does prove that the accused attempted rape," Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas stated in the order on February 16.
Additional Sessions Judge, Dhamtari (Camp-Raipur), had convicted Vasudeo Gond on April 6, 2005, under section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sentenced him to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment.
He was also sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 342 IPC. Both sentences were to run concurrently.
Gond had lured the victim, a resident of Dhamtari district, to his house on May 21, 2004, under some pretext, and raped her.
He locked her in a room and tied her hands and feet. A case was registered at the Arjuni police station.
The prosecution examined 19 witnesses during the trial.
In her statement, the victim had claimed forced sexual intercourse by the accused. However, during cross-examination, she gave contradictory statements regarding penetration.
Medical examination revealed an intact hymen, but the possibility of partial penetration was raised. The FSL report also found human sperm in some samples.
The High Court noted that the victim's statement lacked clarity regarding penetration. The medical evidence also failed to establish complete penetration. Citing various Supreme Court decisions, the single-judge bench stated that proof of penetration, even if partial, is necessary to prove rape.
"The evidence of the victim is corroborated with the medical evidence brought on record by the prosecution and law on the subject. It is quite vivid that an offence of attempt to commit rape is made out against the appellant, as there is partial penetration by the appellant.
"As such, the act of the appellant forcibly taking the victim inside the room, closing the doors with the motive of carnal knowledge, was the end of ‘preparation’ to commit the offence. His following action of stripping the victim and himself, and rubbing his genitals against those of the victims and partial penetration, which was indeed an endeavour to commit sexual intercourse," the HC stated.
It said the acts of the appellant were deliberately done with manifest intention to commit the offence aimed at and were reasonably proximate to the consummation of the offence.
"Since the acts of the appellant exceeded the stage beyond preparation and preceded the actual partial penetration but without ejaculation, the appellant is guilty of attempting to commit rape as punishable within the ambit and scope of Section 511 read with Section 375 IPC as it stood in force at the time of occurrence," the HC stated.
The HC convicted Gond under sections 376 (1) and 511 of the IPC, instead of section 376, and sentenced him to three years and six months' rigorous imprisonment. The six-month sentence under Section 342 was upheld. Both sentences will run concurrently.
The bench ordered that the sentence already undergone by the accused be set off.
It cancelled the bail of the accused and directed him to surrender before the trial court within two months, failing which action for his arrest would be initiated.
