A happy outcome for Sidhak Singh Arora and his family

On 25 July, 2017 this blog carried a post regarding a Sikh child being refused enrolment in a Christian school because the traditional headcap the child wore did not conform with the school's dress code.

Readers of Beside The Creek will be pleased to know that the matter has now been resolved in favour of the child and his family.

A Christian school unlawfully discriminated against a five-year-old boy when it banned him from wearing a traditional Sikh patka, a child's version of a turban, a tribunal has ruled.

In a win for Melbourne father Sagardeep Singh Arora and his son Sidhak, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that Melton Christian School breached the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Sagardeep Singh Arora with his son Sidhak. Photo: Supplied

The decision, which was handed down on Tuesday, could have implications for the way schools set their uniform policies.

It also paves the way for Sidhak to attend the school of his choice.

____________________________________________________________"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," VCAT member Julie Grainger said. 

Mr Arora had hoped that his son would start prep at school this year, but the enrolment hit a roadblock when principal David Gleeson said Sidhak would have to comply with the school's uniform policy.