Authorities in Kolkata have rejected the applications of 47 Muslim police personnel seeking permission to keep beards, instructing them to shave off their facial hair if they wish to remain in service.

The decision was made on the grounds of maintaining force discipline, cleanliness, and uniformity in personnel appearance.

A directive regarding this matter was issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Kolkata Police on September 4, strictly ordering the enforcement of the police force's conventional dress code concerning beards.

The directive, signed by the Joint Commissioner (Headquarters), also listed the names of the 47 Muslim police members who had applied to keep beards.

Departmental heads have been instructed to inform the applicants of the decision immediately and ensure that the order is properly implemented.

According to reports from local Kolkata media, the authorities' decision has generated dissatisfaction and distress among a section of the police personnel.

Many of them had grown beards for religious reasons.

A report by the local newspaper Puber Kalom noted that several officers had grown beards to follow the Sunnah after performing the Hajj pilgrimage.

The decision has already sparked controversy.

Critics question why Sikh community members in police forces across various Indian states are permitted to perform their duties while wearing turbans, long hair, and beards, while similar religious freedom is not applicable to Muslim police officers.

However, according to legal experts, even if the matter reaches the courts, achieving success in a legal battle on behalf of the Muslim police personnel may not be easy.

The rulebooks or "manuals" formulated for police forces in various Indian states generally state that police personnel cannot keep beards without special permission from the state government.

However, an exception to this rule is made for members of the Sikh community.

Experts point out that such dress and grooming codes in the police force bear the influence of the British colonial administrative and military systems.

During the British era, maintaining a uniform appearance, discipline, and departmental consistency among police and security personnel was heavily emphasized.

Restrictions on keeping beards continue as a legacy of that tradition.

According to relevant sources, Kolkata Police's latest directive strictly enforces those old regulations.

Nevertheless, fresh discussions have begun regarding how to ensure a balance between religious freedom and force discipline.