British Hindu family takes legal action after school protests against boy wearing tilak
The parents of a nine-year-old British Hindu boy who was withdrawn from a primary school in London after he objected to having a tilak on his forehead have launched legal proceedings in the UK High Court.
The boy, who belongs to the Swaminarayan faith tradition, attended Vicar’s Green Primary School in West London from 2021 and wore his religious designation, known as Tilak-Chandlo, without issue.
However, the school objected to the practice in late 2025, sparking a dispute that eventually led his parents to withdraw him from the school and take legal action.
“As parents, it was heartbreaking to see our son go through this just because he wanted to practice 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 any problems and we never imagined that something so sacred to our family would be a source of anxiety,” they said.
“Our son was just an ordinary little boy who loved to study and spend time with his friends. His religious markings did not hurt anyone and did not prevent him from being a good student.”
“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 brought the claim alleging religious discrimination under the UK Equality Act 2010 and breach of rights protected by the Human Rights Act 1998.
The case, filed at the High Court of England and Wales, seeks £25,000 in damages. The proceedings are ongoing and the charges 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 forced to choose between their faith and education. We hope this ruling will help clarify the rights of children from all religious backgrounds,” he said.
Tilak-Chandlo is a U-shaped mark, usually made of sandalwood paste and a small red circle of kumkum powder in the middle. It symbolizes devotion to God and humility among followers of the Swaminarayan faith.
The family says that after the school objected to the grading, the boy was repeatedly questioned by staff about his religious practice and banned from some school activities.
The school disputed the allegations of discrimination, saying it had acted sensitively, recognized the family’s religious beliefs and offered alternative measures, which the parents did not accept.
Vicar’s Green Primary School 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 avoiding division or disruption of the school community”.
The interfaith initiative Action for Harmony supports the parents in their legal challenge.
Nitin Palan, head of Action for Harmony, said: “Religious equality must be extended 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, justice and equal treatment for all, and we hope this case will help establish an important principle.”
Published – 8 Nov 2026 21:01 IST