UK Hindu family takes legal action after school objects to boy wearing tilak

The parents of a nine-year-old British Hindu boy, who was withdrawn from his primary school in London after it objected to him wearing a tilak on his forehead, have initiated legal proceedings in the UK High Court.

The boy, who belongs to the Swaminarayan faith tradition, had attended Vicar’s Green Primary School in west London since 2021 and worn his religious marking, known as the Tilak-Chandlo, without difficulty.

However, the school objected to the practice in late 2025, triggering a dispute that eventually led his parents to withdraw him from the school and pursue legal action.

“As parents, it has been heartbreaking to see our son go through this simply because he wanted to practise his faith,” the parents said in a statement released by their legal team this weekend.

“He had worn his Tilak-Chandlo to school for years without difficulty, and we never imagined that something so sacred to our family would become a source of distress,” they said.

“Our son was just an ordinary little boy who enjoyed learning and spending time with his friends. His religious marking did not hurt anyone or prevent him from being a good pupil.

“We have always taught our children to respect every religion, and we simply ask that the same respect be shown to ours. We hope that no other child will have to choose between their education and their faith,” they added.

The family is represented by Ashray Law, which has filed proceedings alleging religious discrimination under the UK’s Equality Act 2010 and breaches of rights protected by the Human Rights Act 1998.

The case, filed in the High Court of England and Wales, seeks £25,000 in damages. The proceedings are ongoing, and the allegations remain in dispute.

“This case goes beyond one child or one school. It raises important questions about religious freedom and equality in British education,” said Ambrish Limbachia, director of Ashray Law.

“No child should feel compelled to choose between their faith and their education. We hope these proceedings will help clarify the rights of children from all religious backgrounds,” he said.

The Tilak-Chandlo is a U-shaped marking, usually made with sandalwood paste and a small red circle of kumkum powder in the centre. It symbolises devotion to God and humility among followers of the Swaminarayan faith.

The family alleges that, after the school objected to the marking, the boy was repeatedly questioned by staff about his religious practice and restricted from participating in certain school activities.

The school has disputed the allegations of discrimination, maintaining that it acted sensitively, recognised the family’s religious beliefs and offered alternative arrangements, which the parents did not accept.

Vicar’s Green Primary School has said it values and respects the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of its community. It said its policy was designed to “promote cohesion, fairness, equality and a shared sense of belonging while preventing division or disruption within the school community”.

The parents are being supported in their legal challenge by the interfaith initiative Action for Harmony.

Nitin Palan, head of Action for Harmony, said: “Religious equality must extend to all communities, including Hindu children whose traditions and beliefs are an important part of their identity.

“Action for Harmony is proud to support this legal action, not to create division, but to promote understanding, fairness and equal treatment for everyone, and we hope this case will help establish an important principle.”

Published - November 08, 2026 09:01 pm IST