Eight-year-old Hindu student forced to change London school over 'Tilak'

An eight-year-old Hindu student was forced to change schools in London after facing discrimination over wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred Hindu religious symbol applied on the forehead. According to Insight UK, an advocacy body representing the British Hindu and Indian community, the incident occurred at Vicar’s Green Primary School, where staff asked the child to explain and justify his religious practice, an approach the organisation said was inappropriate for a minor.

Insight UK alleged that the school’s headteacher monitored the child during break times in a manner the student found intimidating. As a result, the child reportedly withdrew from playtime activities and isolated himself from other pupils.

It was also alleged that the student was removed from positions of responsibility within the school solely because of his religious practice. Insight UK said that, if established, such action would amount to direct religious discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, which recognises religion as a protected characteristic.


An Insight UK spokesperson said no child should feel watched, singled out or isolated because of their faith, particularly by someone in a position of authority. The spokesperson said such experiences can have lasting emotional consequences and raise serious safeguarding concerns.

Parents’ engagement with school leadership

The child’s parents, along with other Hindu parents, reportedly made repeated attempts to engage with the headteacher and school governors to explain the religious significance of Hindu practices, including the Tilak-Chandlo. However, Insight UK said these efforts were dismissed, with school leadership showing an unwillingness to acknowledge or understand Hindu religious observance.

The advocacy group said the situation did not amount to a good-faith dialogue and reflected an imbalance of power in which Hindu religious practices were scrutinised, minimised and ultimately rejected.

Wider impact on students

Insight UK said that alleged religious discrimination at Vicar’s Green Primary School has forced at least four children to leave the school.