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A 14-year-old girl has been excluded from a school in south Wales for wearing a Sikh bangle, or Kara.
Sarika Singh refused to take off the religious symbol because it is "a constant reminder to do good".
Aberdare Girls School said it has a clear code of conduct and it had temporarily excluded a pupil for refusing to accept a governors' ruling.
The Sikh Federation UK said that the bangle was an "article of faith" and Sikhs had no choice but to wear it.
Sarika's mother Sinita Singh said she also has the support of several local politicians and was taking legal advice.
She said the teenager would remove the bangle for gym classes, or wood and metalwork, for safety reasons.
Mrs Singh said: "It's not jewellery, it's part of our faith and symbol of our belief."
She said they had a meeting with the school and argued the case with the board of governors, but they refused to allow her to wear it.
"We feel very strongly that Sarika has a right to manifest her religion - she's not asking for anything big and flashy, she's not making a big fuss, she just wants a reminder of her religion."
On Monday Sarika was excluded for a day and on Tuesday her mother said she was told she had been excluded for a fixed period.
Sarika said of wearing the bangle: "It's very important to me, it constantly reminds me to do good and not to do bad, especially with my hands."
Her mother said the Sikh Federation had supported them and she would do "whatever it takes".
The school has confirmed that "a pupil has been temporarily excluded for refusing to accept the decision of the governing body".
The governors rejected the girl's request to wear the bangle after a "significant period of research" examining the uniform policy and human rights legislation in detail.
Jane Rosser, headteacher, said: "We have a strict and clear code of conduct that has been in place for many years.
"A copy of the code of conduct is given to all girls before they are even a pupil at the school and is also issued at the start of every new term in September.
"We use this established code of conduct to ensure equality between all pupils.
"The code clearly states the only two forms of jewellery that girls are allowed to wear in school is a wrist watch and one pair of plain metal stud earrings."
Jagtar Singh, secretary of Sikh Federation UK claimed the school was breaching the 1976 Race Relations Act in its treatment of Sarika.
"The department for education and schools in England have said that if a headteacher or governing body were to deny a Sikh child one of their articles of faith such as the bangle then they would be breaking the law," he said.
"If you are a practising Sikh, you have no choice, you have to have the kara. It is the one symbol that virtually every single Sikh wears."
So yet again we have a case of somebody trying to demand it's their right to display their faith when they're actually there to learn.
As for her needing it as a reminder to not do bad things, if she needs a bangle to make her remember that, then i really do worry for her.
Oh, and this bit made me chuckle
Quote:
"The department for education and schools in England have said that if a headteacher or governing body were to deny a Sikh child one of their articles of faith such as the bangle then they would be breaking the law," he said.
Good job it's happening in a School in Wales then isn't it. So there is no law breaking.
11-07-2007, 12:28 PM
Another story of a child being excluded for wearing Religious jewellery Post #2
I think you miss the point, in many religions certain things have a high level of importance. Dont you think it is better to allow a girl to wear a bangle than to deny her an important part of her faith.
We have little girls altering their school uniforms and making them trampy and getting away with that but we condemn a religious person who in all honesty if they stick with their fate will grow to be a useful member of society.
11-07-2007, 12:30 PM
Another story of a child being excluded for wearing Religious jewellery Post #6
I think everyone should just have a ****ing word with themselves here and just shut up.
whs.
I'm am ****ing sick to death of ANY religion demanding ANYTHING. Get rid of the whole thing from public schools, properties, land, everywhere. If you want to wear religious crap and/or teach ridiculous religious concepts instead of actual real facts, build your own damn fake school on your own land.
11-07-2007, 12:31 PM
Another story of a child being excluded for wearing Religious jewellery Post #9
Another story of a child being excluded for wearing Religious jewellery 
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