Pentagon's beard ban is a violation of religious freedom, says North American Punjabi Association October 04, 2025 - The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed deep concern and strong opposition to the Pentagon’s latest directive rolling back religious accommodations for facial hair in the U.S. military. Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association Satnam Singh Chahal said that the policy, announced shortly after U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s September 30 speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, directs all branches to return to “pre-2010 standards” for grooming. He said the new rules state that “facial hair waivers are generally not authorized.” He further said that it would create serious implications for Sikhs, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities whose faith requires them to maintain beards and other articles of faith. Chahal said this move represents a betrayal of trust for those who have fought for years to gain religious accommodation in the armed forces. “This decision is not about discipline or lethality—it is about stripping away the dignity and religious identity of devout soldiers who serve this country with loyalty and honour,” he stated. He emphasised that for Sikhs, keeping unshorn hair (Kesh) is a non-negotiable religious mandate, and banning beards effectively excludes Sikh Americans from military service unless they abandon their faith. “Asking a Sikh soldier to shave his beard is the same as asking him to give up his religion,” Chahal said. NAPA has called on the Trump administration, members of Congress, and civil rights organizations to immediately intervene and halt the implementation of the Pentagon’s directive. The association warned that this rollback could force hundreds of devout service members to make the impossible choice between their religious beliefs and their military careers. He further added that at a time when diversity and inclusion are supposed to be the hallmarks of American democracy, this policy takes us backwards. The U.S. military should not punish soldiers for practising their faith—it should honour their service and sacrifice.” NAPA reaffirmed its solidarity with Sikh soldiers and other religious minorities in the armed forces and pledged to pursue all available advocacy through diplomatic channels to reverse what it described as a regressive and discriminatory policy.