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October 10, 2008

Sikh fury at inmate’s haircut


by David Masters

Religious and humans rights groups around the world have expressed outrage that a Sikh prisoner in Florida was forced to have his hair cut.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Florida is considering taking legal action against the Sheriff’s Office in question.

According to the ACLU, cutting Jagmahon Ahuja’s hair violated the state’s laws on religious freedom.

It is against the Sikh religion to cut hair on any part of the body. Many Sikh men wear their long hair wrapped up in a turban.

Jaspreet Singh, speaking for the United Sikhs, said it goes ‘completely against’ Sikhism to cut a Sikh’s hair.

He added that Sikh’s ‘love America’ because it is a country where their religious rights are protected.

A spokesperson at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office defended the haircut, saying that it is required under security policies at the office.

She said inmates are ‘required’ to have short hair and not to wear any covering on their head to prevent them hiding money or weapons.

Thirty-six year old Jagmahon Ahuja is being held in jail because of domestic violence against two women in his family. He denies the charges against him.

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