Hindu Student Forced to Switch London School Amidst Tilak Discrimination Allegations

The child’s parents, along with other Hindu parents at the school, reportedly made repeated efforts to engage with the headteacher An eight-year-old Hindu student was compelled to change schools in London after allegedly facing discrimination for wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred Hindu symbol applied on the forehead. According to a NDTV report, the incident occurred at Vicar’s Green Primary School, where the child was reportedly questioned about and asked to justify his religious practice. According to NDTV, the situation escalated when the school’s headteacher allegedly began closely observing the child during break times, behaviour the child found intimidating. As a result, the student reportedly withdrew from group activities and became increasingly isolated from classmates. The advocacy group further alleged that the child was stripped of positions of responsibility within the school solely because of his religious practice. If established, such action would amount to direct religious discrimination under the UK’s Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of religion. An Insight UK spokesperson told NDTV that no child should be made to feel singled out or uncomfortable because of their faith, particularly by authority figures, adding that such experiences can have long-term emotional consequences and raise serious safeguarding concerns. The child’s parents, along with other Hindu parents at the school, reportedly made repeated efforts to engage with the headteacher and school governors to explain the religious significance of Hindu practices, including the Tilak-Chandlo. However, these attempts were said to have been met with dismissive responses rather than meaningful dialogue. The advocacy body claimed the school leadership showed little willingness to understand or accommodate Hindu religious observances, describing the interactions as one-sided and lacking sensitivity. Insight UK said Hindu practices were repeatedly questioned and ultimately rejected instead of being respected. According to NDTV, Insight UK has flagged that the alleged discrimination at Vicar’s Green Primary School has already resulted in at least four Hindu children being withdrawn from the institution, raising wider concerns about inclusivity and religious freedom in schools.