Rediff
London, Mar 11: A Sikh student of Indian origin, who had been excluded from attending her school in Wales since November 2007 for refusing to take off her iron bangle 'kada', has been allowed to attend another school pending a court ruling.
Sarika Singh, 14, hit the headlines when the Aberdare Girls Comprehensive School, Wales refused to allow her to wear the 'kada' during school time saying it violated its dress code.
Singh's case, supported by the prominent human right organisation Liberty, is currently awaiting hearing in the High Court in London.
Until the case is heard, Singh has been allowed to attend another school within the same Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Education Authority area.
In a statement, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: "Sarika Singh is attending Mountain Ash Comprehensive School pending the outcome of a High Court case. The school say they are happy for her to wear the Kada."
Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd, has called on governors at the Aberdare Girls School not to waste public money in fighting a case they cannot win.
She said: "The advice I have received from fellow MPs, the Sikh Association and Liberty, is that Sarika will win her case. There are legal precedents establishing a Sikh pupils right to wear those items that are essential to their religion.
Boys, for example have been allowed to continue to wear turbans, following court cases and there is no reason to believe that the courts ruling will be any different in Sarikas case".
Anna Fairclough, Libertys legal officer, said: "Nothing less than our traditions of religious freedom and racial tolerance are on trial in this case. Individuals from any religion who wish to modesty express their faith should not be denied a proper education, as Ms Singh has."
Singh went to India in 2005 with her Indian-origin mother, Sanita, and was impressed by the Sikh religion during her visit to Amritsar. Since then she has insisted on wearing the Sikh religious symbol of 'kada'.
Singh said: "We went to quite a lot of places during my visit to India, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which was just amazing. I became very interested in Sikh history and was inspired to follow the religion."
"The kada is a very important Sikh symbol and a constant reminder to me to do good, and that God is One. I am very disappointed that my school does not recognise my right to wear the kada".