Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A sikh student of Indian origin has been expelled from school in Britain for refusing to take off her iron bangle. Authorities at the Aberdare Girls’ School in South Wales have barred 14-year-old Sarika Singh from attending classes after she declined to remove her kara, a symbol of her faith, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.
“My bangle is important to me. It reminds me to do good and not do anything bad, especially with the hands,” Sarika said. The school authorities have cited violation of uniform guidelines as the reason for expulsion.
Unhappy with the decision of the school, Sarika’s family is planning to seek legal recourse soon. Her mother Sinita Singh said she had already argued her daughter’s case in a meeting with the governing body, but had been unsuccessful. “It is not jewellery, it is a symbol of our belief.”
Earlier this year, a 12-year-old, similarly failed to gain the right to wear a full-face veil at a Buckinghamshire girls’ school. In June this year, 16-year-old Lydia Playfoot lost her legal battle to be allowed to wear a Christian “purity” ring.
