- INSIGHT UK raises concerns over treatment of Hindu pupils
- Eight-year-old reportedly questioned over wearing Tilak-Chandlo
- Allegations of intimidation and unequal religious accommodation
- Group cites possible breaches of Equality and Human Rights laws
GG News Bureau
London, 24th Jan: INSIGHT UK has raised serious concerns over the treatment of Hindu pupils at Vicar’s Green Primary School in London, alleging religious discrimination that has reportedly resulted in at least four children leaving the school.
According to INSIGHT UK, the latest case involves an eight-year-old Hindu pupil who was challenged by school staff over wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred religious marking worn on the forehead. The organisation said the handling of the matter caused significant distress to the child and his family, forcing the parents to move him to another school.
An INSIGHT UK spokesperson said the Tilak-Chandlo is an integral religious observance for many Hindus and should not be treated as a cosmetic or cultural accessory. The organisation also expressed concern that the symbol was allegedly referred to by school staff as a “skin mark” or “skin marking,” language it described as offensive and culturally insensitive.
INSIGHT UK said the child was reportedly asked to explain and justify his religious practice, an approach the organisation said is inappropriate for a minor. It further alleged that the Headteacher monitored the child during break times in a way the pupil found intimidating, leading him to withdraw from play and isolate himself from peers.
The organisation also claimed the child was removed from positions of responsibility within the school solely due to his religious practice, which it said could constitute direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, where religion is a protected characteristic.
INSIGHT UK said repeated efforts by the child’s parents and other Hindu parents to engage with school leadership and explain the religious significance of Hindu practices were dismissed. The organisation alleged that school authorities questioned and challenged Hindu religious practices, creating what it described as an imbalance of power and a breakdown of trust.
Raising concerns over what it termed double standards, INSIGHT UK said the school permits the wearing of items such as hijabs and turbans, but applied a restrictive interpretation of religious observance to Hindu practices. The group said this inconsistent approach amounts to unequal treatment and risks marginalising Hindu pupils.
The organisation said the reported actions may breach the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty, Department for Education guidance, and the Human Rights Act 1998, including the right to freedom of religion and protection from discrimination.
INSIGHT UK also cited reports that the child was isolated and questioned in a separate room about his religious practices, and that parents were asked to remove the Tilak-Chandlo themselves. The group further alleged that the school demanded removal of a kanthi, a sacred necklace worn by many practising Hindus.
According to INSIGHT UK, these incidents have caused significant emotional distress to the child, who is now reportedly undergoing therapeutic support.
The organisation has called on the school and authorities to end discriminatory restrictions, remove double standards, ensure Hindu pupils are able to practise their faith freely, and review school policies and staff training to ensure compliance with equality and safeguarding laws.
INSIGHT UK said the case raises broader concerns about whether Hindu children in the UK can practise their faith without fear of exclusion or humiliation, stressing that equality before the law must apply to all communities.
