Sikh couple in UK told ‘they can’t adopt white child’
Wednesday, 28/06/2017
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=178052&boxid=61898&uid=&dat=2017-06-28
London: A Sikh couple in the UK have alleged that they were refused permission to adopt a white child because of their “cultural heritage” and told to adopt a child from India instead. Sandeep and Reena Mander, British-born business professionals from Berkshire, were quoted by The Times as saying that they were told not to apply to become adoptive parents on the basis that white British or European applicants would be given preference.
The couple, who are of Sikh-Indian heritage, had told Adopt Berkshire adoption agency that they would be delighted to adopt a child of any ethnic background but were rejected as potential parents on the grounds that only white children were available.
Adoption agencies are allowed to prioritise on the basis of race in order to match children to prospective parents of the same ethnic background. But the government has also said that a child’s ethnicity should not be a barrier to adoption.
The Manders, whose cause has been taken up by Prime Minister Theresa May as their local MP, will take their case to court. They are applying to Slough county court, seeking a declaration that the policy should allow them to adopt. They are being represented by the law firm McAllister Olivarius and their case is supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The Manders had an assessment and home visit from Adopt Berkshire, an agency run by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), last year.PTI
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Adoption agencies are allowed to prioritise on the basis of race.
The Manders, both in their 30s, claimed they were told to adopt a child from India instead.
