Kerala Hijab Row Settled as Parents Agree to Follow School Uniform Code

A dispute over a student being denied permission to wear a hijab at St Rita’s Public School in Kerala’s Ernakulam district appears to have been resolved, with the girl’s father agreeing on Tuesday to follow the school’s uniform rules after mediation talks. Meanwhile, the state education department’s inquiry recommended that the student be allowed to wear the hijab as part of her religious beliefs.

The controversy erupted after PM Anas, father of the Class 8 student, insisted that his daughter be permitted to wear a hijab in class. The school, managed by the Catholic Church, refused, citing its uniform code. Classes were suspended on Monday and Tuesday after Anas and a few others reportedly caused a scene on campus.

Following conciliatory discussions involving the girl’s parents and school authorities, with Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden present, Anas agreed to adhere to the school’s dress code.

“My daughter and I have decided to follow what the school management prescribes. I don’t want this to escalate into a communal issue,” Anas told reporters.

MP Hibi Eden said there were “forces operating in and around the school trying to create a communal divide” but praised Anas for choosing to respect the school’s rules. “This is a great message of secularism. We will not allow any force to disturb the secular spirit of our soil,” Eden added.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who had ordered an inquiry after the complaint, said the investigation found serious lapses by the school in preventing the student from attending classes.

“Expelling a student for wearing a headscarf is a serious misconduct and a violation of the Right to Education Act. The school’s action went against the fundamental freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution,” Sivankutty said on Facebook. The report recommends allowing the student to wear the hijab while permitting the school to prescribe its color and design.

The Kerala High Court had on Monday granted police protection to the school, citing potential law and order concerns.

School officials noted that the student had been briefed about the dress code when she joined in June and had followed it until October 6. The next day, she wore a hijab, prompting the management’s objection. Officials argued that other Muslim students complied with the uniform policy and that no individual exception could be made.