An eight-year-old Hindu student was reportedly forced to change his school in London after facing alleged religious discrimination for wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred Hindu mark worn on the forehead. The incident took place at Vicar’s Green Primary School and has raised serious concerns about inclusivity, religious freedom, and the treatment of minority faith students in UK schools.

According to Insight UK, a social movement and advocacy body representing the British Hindu and Indian community, the child was withdrawn from the school by his parents after repeated incidents related to his religious practice. The Tilak-Chandlo holds religious significance in Hinduism and is commonly worn by followers as an expression of faith.

Insight UK stated that school staff allegedly asked the eight-year-old to explain and justify why he wore the Tilak-Chandlo. The organisation described this action as “entirely inappropriate for a minor,” especially given the child’s age. It was reported that the situation worsened when the school’s headteacher began closely monitoring the student during break times.

According to the account shared by Insight UK, this monitoring made the child feel intimidated and uncomfortable. As a result, the student reportedly stopped playing freely during breaks and began isolating himself from his peers. The experience is said to have had a noticeable emotional impact on the child.

The organisation further claimed that the child was removed from positions of responsibility within the school. It was alleged that this decision was made solely because of his religious practice of wearing the Tilak-Chandlo. If these claims are proven, such actions would amount to direct religious discrimination under the UK’s Equality Act 2010. The Act protects individuals from discrimination based on religion or belief and applies to schools and other public institutions.

Commenting on the issue, an Insight UK spokesperson said, "No child should feel watched, singled out, or isolated because of their faith, especially not from a person of authority." The spokesperson also warned that such experiences can have long-term effects, adding, "Such experiences can have lasting emotional impacts and raise serious safeguarding questions."

The child’s parents reportedly tried several times to resolve the issue through dialogue. Along with other Hindu parents at the school, they made repeated efforts to meet the headteacher and school governors. Their aim was to explain the religious and cultural importance of Hindu practices, including the Tilak-Chandlo, and to seek understanding and accommodation within the school environment.

However, Insight UK claimed that these attempts were unsuccessful. According to the organisation, the school leadership responded in a dismissive manner and showed little willingness to understand or respect Hindu religious practices. The parents felt that their concerns were not taken seriously.

Reflecting on these interactions, an Insight UK spokesperson said, "This was not a good-faith dialogue. It reflected an imbalance of power, where Hindu religious practices were scrutinised, minimised, and ultimately rejected." The organisation stated that this lack of engagement contributed to the decision to withdraw the child from the school.

Insight UK also highlighted that this was not an isolated case. The group claimed that at least four Hindu children have been forced to leave Vicar’s Green Primary School due to similar issues related to religious practices. These incidents, according to the organisation, point to a broader problem concerning inclusivity and religious freedom within the school.

The case has sparked wider concern within the British Hindu community, with questions being raised about how schools handle religious diversity and protect the rights of children from minority faiths. The allegations underline the importance of safeguarding children’s emotional well-being and ensuring that schools remain inclusive spaces where students are not singled out or treated unfairly because of their beliefs.

As the matter stands, the claims made by Insight UK have drawn attention to the responsibilities of educational institutions under existing equality laws and the need for respectful engagement with parents and communities over matters of faith and identity.