Parents sue UK school for stopping Hindu boy from putting on tilak

A nine-year-old British Hindu boy is seeking £25,000 in damages from his former primary school in London after the institution allegedly prevented him from wearing a tilak, a sacred religious marking, on his forehead. The case has been filed in the UK high court by the boy's parents, who claim their son's Tilak-Chandlo has been a source of distress since he started attending Vicar s Green Primary School in west London in 2021.

The parents say their child had worn the Tilak-Chandlo for several years without issue, and the school's objection came in late 2025. They allege that school staff questioned the boy about his religious practices, restricted his participation in certain activities, and ultimately caused the family to withdraw him from the institution.

The school, however, denies any discriminatory actions and maintains that it respects all religious traditions within its community, emphasizing its commitment to promoting cohesion and equality. The case highlights the delicate balance between religious freedom and the requirements of a secular educational environment.