Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Sunday appealed to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take up the issue of ban on beards in the United States military with its government to ensure Sikhs can practise their faith without any discrimination.

In a letter to the External Affairs Minister, the SAD President said Sikhs all over the world were deeply anguished and concerned over US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s statement effectively banning beards for Sikhs serving in the US defence forces.

He urged the minister to take up the issue at an appropriate level to ensure this discriminatory decision was not implemented and Sikhs continued to be allowed to practise their faith as before.

Sukhbir Badal while drawing the attention of the External Affairs Minist

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