Sikh inmate Jagmohan Ahuja accused officers at the Duval County site of forcibly cutting him hair and shaving his face despite his opposition on grounds such activities violated his religious rights, WJXT-TV of Jacksonville, Fla., said Sunday.

United Sikhs member Jaspreet Singh, whose religious group protested the center Sunday in support of Ahuja, concurred that the officers' alleged actions were in direct conflict with Sikh beliefs.

"It's completely against our religion to cut any hair on your body as it's an integral part of your body," he told WJXT.

A spokeswoman for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office defended the haircut and shave, saying the actions were required under current center security policies.

"It is required that all sentenced inmates have short hair and not wear head covering in order to prevent hiding contraband and/or weapons," spokeswoman Lauri-Ellen Smith said.

WJXT said Ahuja, 36, is being held at the corrections center on charges including a probation violation and violating a protective order.