Delhi High Court questions MHA guidelines barring candidates with right forearm tattoos from joining armed forces
Court observes prima facie questionable basis for excluding candidates over tattoo location and size restrictions
The Delhi High Court has raised serious doubts about the legality of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines that disqualify candidates from recruitment to central armed police forces if they have tattoos on their right forearms. The guidelines permit tattoos only on the left forearm, considered the non-saluting limb, and further restrict acceptable tattoos to those bearing religious symbols or names and within limited size requirements.
The Division Bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla issued a notice to the government to show cause why the court should not issue a rule nisi after expressing surprise that the presence of a tattoo alone, especially restricted to a particular arm, did not appear to be a valid disqualification criterion. The Bench specifically noted the rationale in the guidelines that cite “western-influenced skin art” as an undesirable influence.
The case arose from a challenge by petitioner Vipin Kumar, who was barred from recruitment for having a tattoo on his right forearm. Kumar has offered to remove the tattoo surgically if required. The matter is listed for further hearing on November 17.