Kozhikode: Minister for Local Administration K T Jaleel said on Saturday that the police force should not display religious symbols.
"It is not compulsory in Islam to sport a beard. However, it is believed that sporting a beard is 'Sunnah.' However, religious symbols should not be introduced in police force," Jaleel said.
Jaleel clarified this matter in the "Chodhyam Utharam" programme of Mathrubhumi News in connection with the beard controversy that happened in the assembly the other day.
"The police should have only one symbol. That is the symbol of 'Kerala Police.' There should be no divisions in the police force. If such a thing happens, it would have far-reaching consequences," Jaleel said.
In the fund allocation discussion in the assembly, Muslim League MLA TV Ibrahim had requested to allow Muslim policemen to sport beards. Following this, Jaleel and Muslim League MLAs had entered into an argument and the issue turned into a controversy.
Jaleel said in the assembly that sporting a beard is not compulsory for muslims. "If it is compulsory, why are the 18 Muslim League MLAs not having beards?" Jaleel asked.
