In a significant order the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that barring Air Force personnel from sporting long beard did not 'interfere' with freedom of religion.

The apex court upheld the sacking of an Air Force man for keeping beard. The court said that the regulations of the armed forces are aimed at ensuring discipline and uniformity.

The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur quashed the petition of Ansari Aftab Ahmed, who was discharged from service in 2008. Rejecting his plea the bench maintained that the dress code was not discriminatory.

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Ansari had argued that sporting beard was part of his fundamental right to freedom of religion. He cited examples of Sikh personnel and sought equality with them. Sikhs are allowed to sport long hair, turban and beard.

Responding to the notice issued in the matter, the Indian Air Force told the Supreme Court , "All Muslims do not carry beard. The practice of growing and keeping beard is optional and sporting a beard is not universally recognised in the religion of Islam."

"It cannot be said that Muslim religion prohibits the cutting of hair or shaving of the face of its member," the IAF contended.

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CURRENT POLICYIn 2003, the defence ministry notified its policy on hair, beard and wearing turbans. The same policy is in force at present. These regulations replaced earlier versions issued in 1980 and 1999.

The policy reads, Only those Muslim personnel, who had kept beard along with moustache at the time of commissioning /enrolment prior to 01 January 2002, would be allowed to keep beard and moustache.??

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Under no circumstances, a Muslim person who had beard at the time of joining service before 1 January 2002 shall be allowed to maintain beard without moustache. Moustache would be a part of the beard,?? it says.

The defence ministry policy further regulates that Muslims who have grown beard after joining service should shave off the beard.??