Schoolgirl wins Sikh bangle judgment
Welsh schoolgirl told her school acted unlawfully in banning her from lessons for refusing to remove Sikh bangle
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Tuesday, 29, Jul 2008 08:04
A Welsh schoolgirl has been told her school acted unlawfully in banning her from lessons for refusing to take off a Sikh bangle.
Sarika Watkins-Singh, 14, was excluded from lessons last November when she refused to remove the Kara from her wrist.
Her school, the Aberdare girls' school of South Wales, said the bracelet breached its no-jewellery policy that allows just watches and ear studs.
But at the high court today Mr Justice Silber backed the schoolgirl's claim that the school had breached equality and race relations laws.
Sarika, who enrolled at a school that allowed her to wear the Kara in February, said on the steps of the high court she was "overwhelmed" by the judgment.
"It's a massive relief that the long journey is coming to an end... [and I hope] no other pupil is banned from wearing [the Kara] in the future," she said.
"I would not have been able to get through all of this if it was not for the organisations that supported me but above all I want to thank my mum and dad.
"I am a proud Welsh, Punjabi Sikh girl," Sarika added.
Her parents commented it was disappointing they had been compelled to go to the courts in the first place.
"The outcome justifies the action after what has been a very difficult time for the family," they said, praising their daughter for standing up to her beliefs.
Human rights group Liberty, which had represented Sarika, said the outcome was a "common sense judgment".
"Our great British traditions of religious tolerance and race equality have been rightly upheld today," said Liberty legal officer Anna Fairclough.
According to Liberty, when the Aberdare girls' school noted Sarika – its only Sikh pupil – was wearing the Kara she was isolated for two months, despite the schoolgirl's offer to cover the bangle during meals and physical education classes.