Whether Muslims can sport beard in NCC being looked at

The government is looking into the recommendation by Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission to reconsider and allow Muslim students in National Cadet Corps (NCC) to sport beard on the lines of exemption given to the Sikh community, Rajya Sabha was informed today. In a written reply, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission has taken cognisance of complaints about Muslim students being barred from NCC for sporting a beard. He said that the commission had in its order dated September 11 has recommended to the Ministry of Defence to examine and reconsider the matter in detail and pass necessary orders allowing Muslims to sport beard on lines of the exemption given to Sikh community. "The matter is being looked into," he said.