A permanent tattoo can cost you your job with IAF
The Delhi High Court has upheld the Air Force's decision to sack an employee for having a permanent tattoo on the external side of the forearm. The bench ruled that the tattoo wasn't in conformity with Air Force norms. The Air Force only permits certain kind of permanent tattoos, including in the case of tribals because it is according to their customs and traditions.
The Delhi High Court dismisses the man's petition
"Having regard to the fact that tattoos engraved on the body of the petitioner is not in conformity with the relaxation granted in the advertisement, we do not find any infirmity in the impugned order of cancellation of his," the bench ruled.
Details of the man's sacking by the Air Force
The man had applied for the post of Airman in 2016 and cleared the written, physical, and medical examinations. In 2017, he was issued a call notice, following which he submitted a certificate declaring the tattoo. After reporting, he was sacked for failing to submit a photo of his tattoo at the time of applying. Subsequently, he challenged the sacking in court.
The Air Force's stand on tattoos
A few exceptions apart, candidates with tattoos aren't eligible for Air Force jobs. The Air Force only allows permanent tattoos on the inner face of the forearms (inside of the elbow to wrists), the back (dorsal) side of the hand, and on the reverse side of the palm. Tribal people are permitted to have tattoos as per their tribes' customs and norms.
