The Board of Directors and Executive Officers of Hindu Council UK express their deep concern over the recent incident of religious pressure and attempted forced conversion in Springwell Primary School, Heston, London. It has been reported that three 7-year-old pupils in Year 2 tried to convert a Hindu pupil, in the same year, to Islam. The year 2 Hindu pupil was asked by his Muslim fellow pupils to say ‘BISMILLAH’ and change his name to Mohammed to remain friends with his Muslim peers. The Hindu pupil was forced to cut his religious wrist band to continue his friendship with his Muslim peers. The Hindu pupil felt pressurised by their Muslim peers to comply with their demands.
It seems that the school has now suspended the three boys involved in this incident and the parents of the pupils of both sides have been kept informed.
Hindu Council UK contacted the school immediately, as soon as this incident was in the public domain. Unfortunately, we were only able to report our concerns to the admin staff in the office but had no success in getting to speak to the Headteacher or the Chair of the Governors. We urge the Headteacher, the Governing body of the school, the local Authority and the Department of Education to address this important issue by putting robust measures in place to create a safe and inclusive environment for the young pupils of all faiths and ages. We would also like to remind the Local Authority that the ‘Every Child Matters Education Act’ places a duty on the Local Authority to make arrangements through various agencies to improve the wellbeing of all children and young people and create a safe environment for them to flourish in.
Hindu Council UK is happy to support the school in terms of offering advice in compiling their Anti-bullying Policy, Religious Education Policy or input in their staff inset.
Krishna Bhan
Chair and Director of Education
Hindu Council UK