Sikh boy wins battle to wear turban to Christian school
A Christian school has been told by a tribunal that it unlawfully discriminated against a five-year-old boy by banning him from wearing his traditional Sikh patka, a turban worn by children.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruled on Tuesday that the actions of Melton Christian College in Australia breached the Equal Opportunity Act.
Sidhak Singh Arora was due to start prep at the school in Melbourne's north-west this year but was unable to enrol when principal David Gleeson said he would have to comply with the school's uniform policy.
According to the Herald Sun, VCAT member Julie Grainger said: "It is not reasonable to accept enrolment applications from students from non-Christian faiths only on condition that they do not look like they practise a non-Christian religion."
As well as prohibiting students from wearing any type of religious head covering, the uniform policy states boys must also have short hair.
Sidhak's father, Sagardeep Singh Arora argued that the school discriminated against his son, by not allowing him to wear the patka or have uncut hair - essential parts of his religion.
Outside court, he said he was surprised the school would not make an exemption for his son.
He added: "I was very surprised in an advanced country like Australia, they are still not allowing us to wear patka in the school."
Principal Gleeson gave evidence that a number of Sikh students attend the school but do not wear the patka.
He said: "I think one of the real strengths of the college is that we're blind... everyone is blind to religious affiliations.
"Anything additional to the uniform isn't allowed."
In a statement signed by United Sikhs, Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria and the Supreme Sikh Council of Australia, it read: "We are very pleased that religious freedom... is alive in Victoria."
More than half the school's students do not identify as Christian.
VCAT has ordered the family and school to attend a conference to resolve their issues.
