The Indian Embassy in Washington has brought attention to the case of a Sikh New York State Trooper who was denied permission to grow a beard. Lawmakers have expressed concern over the incident, denouncing it as "religious discrimination."

New York State trooper Charanjot Tiwana sought permission to grow a beard for his wedding in March last year. However, his request was denied on the grounds that keeping a beard would pose a safety risk if required to wear a gas mask.

Indian officials raised the subject with the New York State Governor's office, and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India's ambassador to the US, brought it up with high-ranking members of the Biden administration. Officials stated that it is also being worked on by the Governor's office and the New York State Police.

Assemblyman David Weprin, representing Queens in the New York State Assembly, termed the denial of Tiwana’s request to grow his beard “a concerning incident of religious discrimination” in the New York State Police.

He reminded that he sponsored the Religious Garb Law, enacted in 2019, to ensure individuals wouldn't need to choose between practicing their faith and fulfilling their job responsibilities.

Weprin said, "Quite frankly, I am appalled by these discriminatory practices and a clear violation of state law," in a post on the social media site X, calling for prompt action by the New York State Police to accommodate Tiwana in compliance with state law.

According to Sgt. Gurvinder Singh, president of the Sikh Officers Association, "New York State is the most diverse in the country, and if we don't let those officers serve with their religion and their faith, we won't have enough police officers," a report in CBS News reported him as saying.

The report quoted a New York State Police spokesperson saying, “We have recently updated our guidelines with respect to facial hair… The New York State Police Uniform and Equipment Committee is currently working on a policy for the design and issuance of turbans.”

Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (the apex Sikh religious body), wrote to Ambassador Sandhu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, expressing strong objections to the discriminatory policy enforced by the NY State Police.

Dhami called for the protection of Sikh community rights and a cessation of the practice of forcing Sikh troopers to cut their hair.

In 2016, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the largest police force in the country, declared that Sikh officers could wear beards and turbans while in uniform.

Image source: Twitter