Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi

Kochi, Oct 15: Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Tuesday directed the management of a Christian-run private school in Kochi’s Palluruthy to allow a Muslim student to continue her education while wearing her hijab (religious headscarf).

In a strongly worded statement, the minister instructed the principal and management of St Rita Public School to address the mental distress caused to the eighth-standard student and her parents after she was denied entry into class for wearing the hijab.

The minister’s directive came after the school management reportedly claimed that wearing a hijab was against the institution’s uniform policy and had even secured interim police protection through a High Court order.

The refusal to allow the student to wear the hijab led to protests from her parents and local groups, prompting the school to declare a two-day holiday on Monday and Tuesday.
Following the controversy, Minister Sivankutty sought a detailed report from the education department on the incident. He later revealed that a probe by the deputy director of education found “serious lapses” on the part of the school.

Citing the report, the minister said, “Removing the student from class for wearing a headscarf amounts to a serious violation of duty and a breach of the Right to Education Act. The school’s action goes against the fundamental religious freedoms guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.”

He further asserted that Kerala, which upholds secular and inclusive values, will not tolerate any form of discrimination in educational institutions. “No student in Kerala should face such hardship,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress MP from Ernakulam, Hibi Eden, who met the girl’s family, appealed for calm and urged people not to communalise the issue. “There are attempts to create a communal divide over this. Some external groups are trying to exploit the situation, and we will not allow that,” Eden said, adding that the girl’s father has expressed willingness for his daughter to continue studying at the school as per its regulations.

The controversy began when the student arrived at St Rita Public School wearing a hijab on October 10. The school management took her to the conference room and summoned her parents.
Following the standoff, the school principal, Sister Heleena RC, issued a circular declaring holidays on October 13 and 14, citing “mental stress” among students and staff.

In the letter, the principal stated that the decision was taken after consulting members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). PTA member Joshi Kaithavalappil later told reporters that the school had maintained a common dress code for the past 30 years, followed by students from all communities.

The issue sparked further debate when school authorities alleged that members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had intervened and misbehaved with the staff.

As the dispute gains wider attention, the education department has assured that steps will be taken to safeguard students’ rights and ensure such incidents do not recur in Kerala’s educational institutions.