Amritsar/Chandigarh, Oct 7 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday urged the Indian government to intervene in the reported ban on beards in the US Army, calling the move discriminatory and an affront to Sikh religious freedom.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote to external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, requesting him to take up the matter with the US defence secretary and ensure that Sikhs serving in the American armed forces can practice their faith without restrictions.
In his letter, Dhami said the decision has deeply hurt the sentiments and beliefs of the Sikh community. “Such a ban undermines Sikh traditions and fundamental rights. Sikhs have earned global respect through their dedication and service, contributing significantly to the development of countries around the world, including the United States,” he wrote.
Calling the restriction “illogical and unjustified,” Dhami added that Sikhs have served with distinction in armed forces globally. “To now prevent them from keeping beards during military service goes against the principles of equality and religious freedom,” he said in a statement issued from the SGPC office.
He appealed to the US government not to implement any such “discriminatory policy” and requested India’s external affairs ministry to intervene promptly and seek a resolution in favour of Sikh soldiers.
Meanwhile, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also condemned the reported move, describing it as “highly condemnable and unfortunate.”
“This action of the US government is an insult to the Sikh soldiers who fought valiantly at Saragarhi and in the World Wars,” Sandhwan said in a statement from Chandigarh.
He noted that maintaining unshorn hair is an essential tenet of Sikh identity and urged the Centre to take up the issue with Washington without delay. “The Sikh community has always upheld courage, loyalty, and service—values that align with any army’s spirit. Denying them their identity in uniform is deeply disrespectful,” he said.
Both leaders emphasised that the matter concerns not only religious freedom but also respect for the Sikh community’s contributions to global peacekeeping and defence services.
