London:A 13-year-old Hindu schoolgirl in Britain has won the battle against her school and now been allowed to wear a religious nose stud inside the premises. Shannon Connolly, whose mother is a Hindu, was barred from wearing the nose stud since last September as it was against the school s policy. Connolly argued that the stud is a symbol of Hindu religion and she should be allowed to wear it in the school.

The school revised its decision and allowed Connolly to wear the stud inside its premises after intervention from Racial Equality Council. However, she has been asked to carry a permission card at school informing teachers that she can wear it. The college s jewellery policy stated students could only wear a watch and earing studs, but no facial jewellery. The UK Hindu Council, which supported Connolly, said "It is an integral part of the Hindu wedding ceremony as the giving of a wedding ring is within a Christian marriage.

" Her father Brenden said the school refused to allow Shannon to wear the stud even after its religious importance was explained. Last year, a catering company serving Heathrow airport in London had to reinstate an Indian-origin worker who had been sacked for wearing a nose stud to work, which the company bars on health grounds. Amrit Lalji, 40,who worked in the VIP Lounge of Terminal One, told her employers that her nose stud was a religious symbol and signified her married status.

 

Source : PTI