A five-year-old Sikh boy has been left traumatised after cruel "bullies" cut his hair with scissors at school, his furious parents say.
An investigation has been launched into the alleged incident at Alexandra McLeod Primary School in Abbey Wood, South East London.
The reception pupil, who is said to have been left "deeply hurt" by the incident, has never had his hair cut due to religious reasons, My London reports.
His parents say they are too scared to send their son back to school after his ordeal.
Speaking on social media, a parent of the boy said: "I am just posting this because we as parents are deeply hurt by this incident which happened today with my son in Alexandra McLeod School Abbey Wood.
"My son is only 5 years old, a Sikh boy and I never cut his hairs but someone in school today cut his hairs with scissors and my boy is really upset and saying 'I am not going to school now'.
"I don’t understand from where a reception student can get scissors and it’s shameful.
"It’s bullying which should not be accepted. We are really scared to send him to school. Don’t know what to do to secure him in future."
The school confirmed they are aware of the incident last Friday, which is understood to have happened when "most of the staff had left", and it is under investigation.
A statement from the primary read: "In response to messages received: An incident was reported late Friday afternoon after the children and most staff had left.
"A meeting had already been arranged with the parents of the child.
"Please trust that the matter will be investigated thoroughly and fairly."
The Sikh Federation UK has issued a statement following the incident, writing it was "totally unacceptable and devastating" for the child's "sacred unshorn hair" to be cut by "another pupil."
A tweet from the federation read: "Totally unacceptable and devastating to hear about the bullying & assault on a 5-year-old boy at south London school Alexandra McLeod.
"For a Sikh boy to have his sacred unshorn hair cut by another pupil while in school is one of the worst possible #Anitsikhhate crimes."
The federation has called for an urgent meeting with the Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, to discuss the "shocking case" and other recent claims of "anti-Sikh hate" bullying in schools in the UK.
They added: "We offer our full support to the family and will push the school and authorities to investigate fully. #NoCoverUps ".
Jas Atwal, the Sikh leader of Redbridge Council in east London, said he was sickened to hear about the incident.
"Appalling to see this happen to anyone, let alone a five-year-old," he said.
"Sickened to hear of this, why is it still happening?"
Another person added online: "This is assault however young the child was who did it to him and now the poor boy doesn't want to go to school! It's awful..."
"Absolutely sickening. My heart breaks just by the thought of what this little boy had to endure and how he must be feeling within. Totally unacceptable", wrote one.
While another commented: "I don’t understand why so much religious intolerance among us. Unacceptable."
