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Poster issued by US Department Of Justice showing various head coverings that Sikhs use to cover their Kesh

Kesh (meaning: uncut hair), is the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. Kesh must be worn by all baptised Sikhs (Khalsa), after a mandatory religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Guru of Sikhism) in 1699 AD. The practice is one of the Five Ks, the outward symbols ordered by Guru Gobind Singh in the late 17th century as a means to profess the Sikh faith. Unlike other religions that require long hair^{[citation needed]}, cleanliness and maintenance is of absolute importance to Kesh. The hair is combed twice daily with a Kanga, another of the Five Ks, and tied into a simple knot known as a Joora, or Rishi knot. This knot of hair is usually held in place with the Kanga and covered by a turban.

Kesh is considered the most important of the Five Ks.^[1] At the Amrit Sanchar in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh explained the reason for this :

My Sikh shall not use the razor. For him the use of razor or shaving the chin shall be as sinful as incest. For the Khalsa such a symbol is prescribed so that a Sikh cannot remain undistinguishable from among a hundred thousand Hindus or Muslims; because how can he hide himself with hair and turban on his head and with a flowing beard?

So important is Kesh that during the persecution of Sikhs under the Mughal Empire, followers were willing to face death rather than shave or cut their hair to disguise themselves or appease the Khan. Bhai Taru Singh was executed for refusing to cut his hair as an offering to Zakaria Khan, the governor of Punjab, in 1745. He became a martyr and a symbol of the importance of Kesh.

In modern times the trend of short hair has encroached upon this tradition; in some parts of Punjab, it is estimated that 80% of Sikh youths have cut their hair. Reasons include simple convenience—avoiding the daily combing and tying—as well as social reasons. Some simply wish to fit in with others in their peer group who are less traditional.^[1]

Finally, and especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Sikhs in the West have been mistaken for Muslims and subjected to hate crimes. Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh living in Mesa, Arizona, was shot to death on September 16, 2001 when he was mistaken for an Arab.^{[1] [2]} Other cases of violence have been widespread, among both adults and children. In one case, a Sikh boy in Scotland was reported to have been attacked by white racists who cut his hair. The story created worldwide controversy until he admitted that he had lied and had, in fact, cut his own hair out of a desire to fit in.^[3]

• PDF on the 5 Ks from Sikhnet
• Kesh article on RealSikhism
• Nails and Hair
• Hail Hair by Dr Birendra Kaur in All About Sikhs

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