School Gate blog: Why Sarika's case doesn't mean what you think

A Sikh teenager excluded from school for breaking a “no jewellery” rule by refusing to remove a wrist bangle which is central to her faith was a victim of unlawful discrimination, a judge ruled today.

The victory in the High Court for Sarika Watkins-Singh, 14, means that she will be returning to Aberdare Girls’ School in South Wales in September - wearing the Kara, a slim steel bracelet.

Her lawyers had told Mr Justice Silber that the Kara was as important to her as it was to England spin bowler Monty Panesar, who has been pictured wearing the bangle.

Sarika, of mixed Welsh and Punjabi origin, of Cwmbach, near Aberdare, was at first taught in isolation and eventually excluded for refusing to take off the bangle in defiance of the school’s policy, which prohibits the wearing of any jewellery other than a wrist watch and plain ear studs.

Today, the judge declared that the school was guilty of indirect discrimination under race relations and equality laws.

After the judgment, Sarika’s mother, Sinita, 38, said: “We are over the moon.It is just such a relief.” Afterwards, a spokeswoman for the family hailed it as a “common sense” judgment.

Sarika said: “I am overwhelmed by the outcome and it’s marvellous to know that the long journey I’ve been on has finally come to an end.

“I’m so happy to know that no-one else will go through what me and my family have gone through.”

She added: “I just want to say that I am a proud Welsh and Punjabi Sikh girl.”

Anna Fairclough, Liberty’s legal officer who was representing the Singhs, said: “This common sense judgment makes clear you must have a very good reason before interfering with someone’s religious freedom.

“Our great British traditions of religious tolerance and race equality have been rightly upheld today.”