WEARING OF THE SIKH KARA IN SCHOOLS

Motion Text

That this House notes with concern the suspension of Sarika Singh from Aberdare Girls School in Wales for wearing the Sikh Kara, a religious steel bracelet; further notes that the Kara is one of the five Ks of the Khalsa in the Sikh religion and is a symbol of restraint and gentility, a symbol that a Sikh is linked to the Guru, a reminder that a Sikh should not do anything of which the Guru would not approve, a symbol of God having no beginning or end, and a symbol of permanent bonding to the community, being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is kari); notes that the Kara is made of steel, rather than gold or silver, because it is not an ornament; believes that the continued suspension of Sarika Singh under the mistaken belief that the Kara is a piece of jewellery is a flagrant disregard for her freedom of religious conscience; further believes that she should not be made to choose between her faith and her education; considers that Sarika should be allowed to return to school immediately and be permitted to wear her Kara as an expression of her faith; and recommends that the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Welsh Assembly should issue guidance to schools so that this situation is not repeated.