Orthodox religion is hampering the right to education of some young people in India as exemplified lately in the decision of an Indian high court, which upheld the decision of a religious body, denying university admission to a Sikh girl on the grounds that she had plucked her eyebrows.

Gurleen Kaur had been denied admission at the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Amritsar) for plucking her eyebrows and hence not coming as a ‘true Sikh’.

Gurleen Kaur challenged the university’s decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court but met greater disappointment as the court approved the university’s decision, arguing that faith-based educational institutions had the right not to admit students who fall short of meeting religious standards.

Maintaining hair unshorn is obligatory in the Sikh religion. That is why the same institute has also previously denied admission to some male Sikh students who had trimmed their beards. Kaur’s petition was supported by these students as well, hoping for a liberal decision from the court. However, they all faced disappointment while the Sikh administration of the institute hailed the court’s decision.