A five year old boy has been refused entry to a Melbourne school because his traditional headwear known as a patka does not conform with school uniform protocol.
Little Sidhak Singh Arora wears a patka, as is custom for men practising Sikhism, each morning, with the help of his parents.
Patka, the youth version of a turban is a part of his identity, says Sidhak's father, Sagardeep Singh Arora.
"So you have to keep your hair covered all the time, so that is not like a fashion, or accessory for us, it's like a basic principle of our religion."
But it's also the reason five year old Sidhak can't attend his school of choice in Melbourne.
"I really feel bad, and disappointed, because I thought this is a modern society, how can a kid not go to the school of his choice, just because he is wearing a religious clothing?"
The Arora family settled in Melbourne's north western outskirts three years ago.
Sidhak's cousins - who choose not to wear the patka - already attend the nearby Melton Christian College, which prides itself on its multiculturalism - boasting at least six different faiths among its student body.
Mr Singh Arora says this is one of the reasons his son hoped to start his primary education there.
"My son really wanted to go to that school, actually, since we moved to Melton, he really wanted to go there, because this is one of the best schools over there, I say the best school in the Melton area."
But when Mr Singh Arora asked the school board if his son could wear his patka, he says the school council said no.
"It's very difficult for a father to tell his kid, 'oh you can't go to that school', I can't say because of this religion belief or because he's following some religion that's a hindrance for his education."
He's now taking the case to the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal.
The school principal cited the hearing as a reason not to comment publicly.
In the school board's submission to the Tribunal, it acknowledged the Arora family's disappointment, but said its decision was based on upholding existing school protocol and the College's history.
According to latest data collected in the 2011 census, Australia is home to some 72 thousand Sikhs.
Sagardeep Singh Arora and his son Sidhak. Source: SBS
That community is growing, and with no dedicated Sikh school, many Sikh children attend Christian and public schools where uniform exceptions are made.
The family has started a petition at the local Sikh Temple in a bid to change the school's decision.
The hearing is scheduled for April. In the meantime, Sidhak will need to attend another school.
