A significant controversy erupted after a student was denied permission to wear a hijab (headscarf) at a church-run school in Kochi, Kerala. The dispute with the student's parents forced the school to declare a two-day holiday on Monday and Tuesday.
The matter was resolved on Wednesday when St. Rita’s Public School, Palluruthy, reopened, and the Class 8 student was allowed to attend classes while wearing her hijab. The office of Kerala's General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, issued a statement confirming that the Minister had directed the school to allow the Muslim girl to continue her education. He also asked the principal and management to address the emotional distress faced by the student and her parents over the issue.
The row began when the eighth-standard student was barred from wearing a hijab on Monday. The matter was amplified after a letter from the school principal, Sister Heleena RC, announcing holidays on October 13 and 14, circulated on social media.
In the letter, the principal claimed that the school was pressured by a student who was not following the prescribed uniform, her parents, and "some people not linked to the school." Consequently, a number of students and staff applied for leave, citing mental stress. Following a discussion with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the school decided to remain shut for two days.
A PTA official told the media that the school has strictly enforced a uniform dress rule for 30 years, which has been followed by students from all communities. "However, the parents of one student insisted on sending her with her head covered. Recently, they arrived at the school with a group and created a scene, causing panic among students and teachers. Hence, we decided to declare a two-day holiday," the official explained.
The principal had earlier stated that the student had begun questioning the need for uniformity and noted that while the parents were informed of the dress code at the time of admission, the student only recently began wearing an extra piece of clothing over her uniform, having raised no objection for around four months.
The girl's father told reporters that the school claimed her headscarf affected equality. "Earlier, she was asked to remove it inside the classroom, but now they have started objecting even at the school gate," he said, confirming he had submitted complaints to the District Education Officer and the Minister.
On Wednesday, Education Minister V Sivankutty intervened, stating the girl could continue attending classes wearing a hijab until she and her parents decided otherwise. He stressed that students’ rights are protected by the Constitution and by education laws in the country and state.
The Minister's direction followed a report from the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education, which cited a "serious lapse" by the school authorities. The report concluded that preventing the student from attending class because of the headscarf constituted serious misconduct and a violation of the Right to Education Act. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court had granted police protection to the school after its management requested it on Monday.
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