LONDON, UK, December 15, 2005: The Tony Blair Government has recently announced that it will provide close to US$17 Million for the construction of the first-ever Hindu faith school in the country. The primary school will be ready for pupils within the next five years. The news about the school has been received with great enthusiasm by the Hindu Forum of Britain. Ramesh Kallidai, secretary-general at the Forum, said: “We have supported this proposal from the beginning and are delighted. It is going ahead. There are Catholic, Christian, Muslim and Jewish state schools in Britain, but no Hindu state schools. Parents from that community deserve that choice.” However, whether there should be separate schools for any faith at all is an issue that is causing something of a divide in Britain, with many people convinced that such places can, and do, lead to racism, discrimination and even segregation. MP Dr. Ashok Kumar says: “On the surface, it is commendable that the Hindu community now feels confident enough to exercise its rights and assert itself on a national scale. However, all my life I have endeavored to be part of the mainstream of British society and I personally feel that it is important for the Hindu community to show restraint when it comes to such measures, which could lead to greater segregation. I remain unconvinced that faith schools have any intrinsic value.” Ramesh Kallidai maintains that: “Faith teaching promotes harmony, peace and integrating into the society in which you live.”
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