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28 October 2014

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Hindu Faith School?

Thousands of Leicester Hindus are backing plans for a new faith school to be built within the city - but will it benefit all the community or just create cultural barriers? Listen to our interview to hear the arguments.

"A Hindu school will help to retain Hindu identity, Hindu values, Hindu ideals... but within that the fact that we are British citizens..."

Pradeep Gajjar, I-Foundation

In a few days time, a brand new school year starts for thousands of pupils in Leicestershire and Rutland.

As they head back to the classrooms in our primary and secondary schools, and community colleges, there is growing support for a new school in the city - a school just for Hindu children.

BBC Leicester reported in May about a growing move to create such a school, and since then those heading up the move have been gathering support.

So far around 2,000 families have given their backing to the plan, saying they want their children to go to a Hindu faith school.

I-Foundation are now in discussion with the City Council and have a number of interviews lined up for next month.

'Innovation and Creativity'

Pradeep commented that the move came as part of a desire for British Hindu's living in Leicester to gain religious guidance whilst continuing to contribute to all sectors of society:

Diwali

Leicester: Home to many British Hindus

"A Hindu school will help to retain Hindu identity, Hindu values, Hindu ideals, Hindu philosophy and culture, but within that the fact that we are British citizens..."

He indicated that he understands that some people have reservations about what could be seen as segregation, however Pradeep feels that the school would not sever multicultural Leicester:

"Having a Hindu school doesn't mean that all contact with people from other backgrounds stops.

"I think on the contrary, it creates further windows for innovation and creativity of how productively we can engage, work with, do projects together and really understand different communities and different people."

Leicester's new Church of England Academy opens on Monday 03 September with the Islamic Academy following close behind. If the plans for a Hindu school are successful the city could have a another faith school in just a few years time...

last updated: 30/08/07

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