Brisbane, Australia (KP) - Following an ongoing court case, a Sikh family based in Brisbane, that had moved the court after its ward was expelled from school, has finally found justice nearly three years later. The court case was registered when the Ormiston College refused to enroll a Sikh student adorning a turban and unshorn long hair, which are the basic religious fundamental requirements of the Sikh religion.
Brisbane’s Ormiston College had refused to enroll the Sikh student at the college unless the student abided by the school uniform which did not accommodate the keeping of unshorn hair or the turban. Keeping uncut hair in a turban is a basic requirement imposed by the Sikh religion for every practicing Sikh; however, as per the school dress policy, untrimmed hair was not allowed.
The lawsuit was registered following Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Tribunal earlier this year to affix this basic religious right for practicing Sikhs. As well opiniated, this case won support of the entire Australian Sikh population, numbering 50,000, and also brought outrage from Sikh bodies worldwide.
The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal was Australia’s first involving this kind of matter. A British court more than twenty-five years ago had faced a similar trail in which it allowed Sikh students to adorn their Gursikh identity while attending British public schools.
While a public trial in the tribunal will take place next month, there has been an out-of-court settlement. The school has decided to issue an apology publicly and pay the family of the Sikh student compensation. The college apologised for any pain caused by their initial decision. The college has also agreed to review their enrollment practices and uniform policy to ensure that it is in accordance with the Anti- Discrimination Act of Queensland passed in 1991.
The Sikh family has expressed great relief and a sense of happiness through their lawyer stating that this will help recover the reputation of the college welfare and the feelings of the Sikh community. Showing it's appreciation of the community support, the family held that without the backing of other Sikhs, victory in this case might not have been possible.
