India, Oct. 4 -- The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed concern and opposition to the Pentagon's latest directive rolling back religious accommodations for facial hair in the United States military.

NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said that the policy, announced shortly after US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth's September 30 speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, directed all branches to return to 'pre-2010 standards' for grooming.

"The new rules state that the facial hair waivers are generally not authorised. 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," he said.

Chahal sa...