UK family challenges school’s restriction on Hindu religious mark

Education · First reported 6 Nov, 19:04 · Updated 19:16

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The family of a nine-year-old boy has brought a High Court case over his school’s objection to his wearing a Tilak-Chandlo. The school denies discrimination; the dispute is ongoing.

The family alleges the school objected to the boy wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a mark associated with his Swaminarayan Hindu faith.
Court papers cited by one report allege that staff questioned the child, removed him from the school council and that the school later adopted a uniform policy prohibiting religious symbols.
The family withdrew the boy from the school and is seeking £25,000 in damages.
The school denies unlawful discrimination and says it offered alternatives; it argues that permitting the mark could harm cohesion among pupils.
The proceedings are ongoing, and the allegations remain disputed.