Hindu girl in UK wins fight to wear nose ring

Ashwin Shuddha Chaturdashi

London: A UK teenager has forced her school to allow her to wear a nose stud, with her mother arguing it is a Hindu religious symbol that eases child birth.

Although most UK schools have strict rules on facial jewellery, Shannon Connolly — backed by mother Madhu and father Brendan — claimed a nose stud is a Hindu religious requirement. Shannon’s school relented after Racial Equality Council talks.

Shannon’s mother told the Skegness Standard: "When you have your nose pierced, the stud goes through a nerve in your nose, which Hindus believe helps give children and makes childbirth easier."

The school, St Clement’s College, allows children to wear only a watch and earring studs. However, her parents are protesting an order for her to carry a laminated card informing teachers she can wear a nose stud.

Last year, a catering company serving UK’s Heathrow airport 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 told her employers that her nose stud was a religious symbol and signified her married status.

She was reinstated after the being supported by the Hindu Council UK, which said: "It is as integral a part of the Hindu wedding ceremony as the giving of a wedding ring is within a Christian marriage."

Source: TOI

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