Sikh couple approach UK court, claim restrained from adopting child

Tribune Web Desk 
Chandigarh, November 5 

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A Sikh couple in UK have approached a court alleging that they were told “not to bother” applying for adoption as they were of “Indian-origin”.

The couple— Sandeep and Reena Mander—claim that adoption agency, Adopt Berkshire, discriminated against them as they were told that the white British parents would be given priority. 

However, during the hearing, the counsel for the adoption agency, Catherine Foster challenged Manders’ statements terming it as “not accurate”.

According to BBC, the couple would have adopted a child regardless of his or her race.  After several rounds of failed In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, the Manders applied for adoption. The couple alleged that they were told that adoptive parents of white British or European origin would be prioritised because more white children were in need.

Mander, who is from Maidenhead, said that during a short and “negative” call with the adoption service in March 2016, he was asked about his ethnicity. 

After a month, Mander called back "reaffirming a desire" to adopt children. 

A social worker soon visited the couple, but Mander alleges he and his wife—who are backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission—were “sidelined” because of their “cultural heritage”. 

The couple has since adopted a child from the United States, but the case in UK court continues.