Daijiworld Media Network - London

London, Jan 20: An eight-year-old Hindu student was allegedly forced to move schools in London after facing discrimination for wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred Hindu religious symbol applied on the forehead.

According to Insight UK, a social movement and advocacy body representing the British Hindu and Indian community, staff at Vicar's Green Primary School asked the minor to explain and justify his religious practice—an approach the organisation termed “entirely inappropriate for a child”.

Insight UK further alleged that the school’s headteacher closely monitored the child during break times in a manner the student found intimidating. As a result, the boy reportedly withdrew from play activities and began isolating himself from his peers.

It was also alleged that the child was removed from positions of responsibility within the school solely due to his religious observance. If proven, this would amount to direct religious discrimination under the UK’s Equality Act 2010, which recognises religion as a protected characteristic.

“No child should feel watched, singled out, or isolated because of their faith, especially not from a person of authority,” an Insight UK spokesperson said, adding that such experiences could have “lasting emotional impacts and raise serious safeguarding concerns”.

The parents of the affected student, along with other Hindu parents, 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, Insight UK claimed these attempts were dismissed, with school leadership showing an unwillingness to acknowledge or understand Hindu religious observance. “This was not a good-faith dialogue. It reflected a clear imbalance of power where Hindu practices were scrutinised, minimised, and ultimately rejected,” the spokesperson said.

The advocacy group also stated that alleged religious discrimination at Vicar's Green Primary School has resulted in at least four Hindu students being forced to leave the institution.