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 has ruled.

(EU)LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 29, 2008) ITN -
A Sikh teenager suspended from school for wearing a religious bangle
won her High Court fight to overturn the decision  on Tuesday (July 29).
    Sarika Singh, 14, from South Wales, said the plain steel bracelet was a
symbol of her faith and should be exempt from her school's ban on wearing
jewellery. 
    Senior judge Mr Justice Stephen Silber accepted her argument and
quashed the decision by the governing body of Aberdare Girls' High School, 20
miles north of Cardiff. 
    Sikhs wear the bangle or "Kara" as one of the five signs of
their faith. The girl's school said it did not allow any jewellery, apart from
wristwatches and ear studs. 
    The judge accepted her claim of discrimination on the grounds of race
and religion, while rejecting the school's argument that the bangle could be
seen as a "symbol of affluence". 
    After the ruling Singh said: "I'm so happy to know no one else
will ever go through what me and my family have gone through and no other
pupil will be banned for wearing again.     
     She described herself as a "proud, Welsh, Punjabi, Sikh
Girl."
     Sikh Federation spokesman Darbinderjit Singh said the ruling
"sends a message to schools, to organisations, to employers about how
they treat people in the workplace.  Sikhs are protected under the law and
there must be respect."
    The case was the latest to test whether pupils can wear religious
clothes or symbols in school. In 2006, Shabina Begum lost her fight for girls
to be allowed to wear a Muslim jiljab, or long gown, in class. 
    Last year, a Christian girl, Lydia Playfoot, lost a High Court bid to
wear a silver chastity ring which she said represented her faith. 
    Singh will be allowed to return to the school next term when she will
begin preparing for her GCSEs. Civil rights group Liberty said it was a
victory for common sense.