Sikh American Student in Alabama allowed to Return to School with both Turban and Hair Intact
Washington D.C. the Sikh
American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest Sikh American
civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, has successfully
represented a 15 year old Alabama high school student who was allowed to return
to school after being kicked out of Good Hope High School for keeping his hair
uncut and wearing his patka a religiously
mandated Sikh head covering.
Earlier this Spring, while
researching religion on the internet, Mr. Tommy DeForest
came across the Sikh faith and immediately felt an affinity for the faith.
After reading more about the religion, Mr. DeForest
started to keep his hair uncut and wear a make-shift head covering. Upon trying
to attend classes at Good Hope High School, Mr. DeForest was turned
away at the campus gates and told that he would not be allowed on campus with
his long hair. Mr DeForest
was also subjected to repeated disciplinary punishment and finally suspended
for his resolve to freely practice his faith.
A meeting was subsequently arranged between the DeForest Family and the school administration. At this
meeting, Principal Anita Kilpatrich and the
Superintendent for Education of Cullman County Hank Allen,
adamantly supported their decision to deny Mr. DeForest
from practicing his faith freely while attending public school. Additionally at
this meeting, the suspension was extended indefinitely effectively denying
Mr. DeForest the right to public education simply due
to his religious affiliation and forcing him to chose
between his faith and an education.
Mr. DeForest contacted SALDEF
with his concerns surrounding his ability to freely practice his faith, as
guaranteed by the Freedom of Religious Expression principle within the United
States Constitution. Mr. DeForest and his family were
put in contact with local Alabama Sikh American community activist Rajinder Singh Mehta who provided Tommy with a patka and kara (steel
bracelet), both mandated Sikh articles of faith.
For a public school in our Nation to essentially tell a
child to check his faith at the door and to force the student to choose between
receiving an education and practicing their faith is a tragic violation of the
principles that our country was founded on, stated SALDEF Managing
Director Kavneet Singh. "This type of action is
completely inexcusable and counter to the rich diversity found in the South and
across the country."
SALDEF is pleased that Tommy DeForest
has been allowed back in school while maintaining the articles of the Sikh
faith. We thank the school and district administration for working with SALDEF
to resolve this situation satisfactorily. SALDEF is hopeful that faculty and
administration of schools across the United States will take steps to understand and inform themselves
of the diversity of religious practices among their student populations, so
instances like this will not happen in the future.
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