US EditionHindu Student Forced to Leave UK School over Tilak. Is It a Case of Discrimination?
INSIGHT UK says at least four Hindu pupils were withdrawn amid claims the school’s policy on visible skin markings conflicts with religious freedoms.
- A highly rated north-west London primary school was accused of religious discrimination after INSIGHT UK said an eight-year-old pupil was challenged for wearing a tilak, and Vicar's Green Primary School cited OFSTED's inclusive environment.
- The dispute stems from the school's longstanding ban on visible skin markings, while advocates said the Tilak-Chandlo is an integral religious observance for over 1 billion Hindus worldwide, INSIGHT UK said.
- School staff met with the pupil's parents to discuss the Tilak sensitively, and the school's governing body reviewed the case and offered reasonable adjustments, but the parents rejected them.
- INSIGHT UK said on Monday the child and family suffered significant distress, Hindu parents withdrew at least four pupils, and called for equality and safeguarding policy reviews.
- The school stressed its policy aims to promote cohesion, fairness and children's wellbeing while commentators warned that blocking faith practice is unacceptable in modern multicultural Britain.
16 Articles
16 Articles
London school questions student over wearing tilak, later denies religious bias
A primary school in London is facing allegations of religious discrimination after a diaspora advocacy group said an eight-year-old student was questioned for wearing a tilak on his forehead. The institution later rejected such claims.
Tilak Dispute at London Primary School Sparks Religious Discrimination Debate
A north-west London primary school has been accused by INSIGHT UK of religious discrimination after an eight-year-old was questioned for wearing a tilak. While the school denied any discrimination, INSIGHT UK claims it lacked religious sensitivity. The incident has prompted calls for policy reviews and staff training.
Hindu student forced to leave UK school over tilak. Is it a case of discrimination?
An eight-year-old student at a school in London was forced to change schools after he applied a tilak. The school, instead of understanding the Hindu practice, dismissed the matter when the parents tried to reason with them
Times of India
The Economic TimesEight-year-old Hindu student forced to change London school over 'Tilak'
An eight-year-old Hindu student was forced to change schools in London after facing alleged discrimination at Vicars Green Primary School over his Tilak-Chandlo. The advocacy body Insight UK reported the child felt intimidated and isolated due to staff actions. This incident, along with others, has reportedly led at least four Hindu children to leave the school.
Hindu Child 'Forced To Quit' Primary School In London For Wearing Tilak, Outrage Among Community
The school's actions, including monitoring and denying responsibility, sparked accusations of religious discrimination and unequal treatment compared to Muslim students wearing hijabs.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
