Kerala Minister Directs School to Let Girl Wear Hijab, Citing Constitutional Rights
Education Minister says denying student for wearing hijab violates right to education and freedom of religion.
A private school in Ernakulam, Kerala, has come under scrutiny after it reportedly asked a student to leave the classroom for wearing a hijab, despite the school’s uniform policy. The issue, which had seemed to be resolved through local discussions, reignited after a public statement by Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Tuesday.
The controversy began at St. Rita’s Public School when a girl student started wearing a hijab to class. The school objected, citing a strict dress code. Her parents insisted that wearing the hijab was part of their religious belief, but the school argued that allowing one student to break the uniform rule could put pressure on others to follow suit. As tensions grew, the school shut down for two days.
Local Congress MP Hibi Eden stepped in to mediate, and after talks with both the school and the girl’s parents, a temporary resolution was reached. The parents agreed to follow the school’s uniform policy, seemingly putting an end to the dispute.
However, Education Minister Sivankutty later made a social media statement that shifted the conversation. He revealed that the Ernakulam Education Sub-District Office had conducted an inquiry into the matter, following a complaint from the girl’s father. The investigation found the school at fault.
“The inquiry concluded that sending a student out of class for wearing a headscarf is a serious violation of the Right to Education Act and goes against the constitutional right to religious freedom,” Sivankutty stated.
He further said the government has instructed the school to allow the student to continue her education while wearing the hijab. To maintain uniformity, the school can decide on the colour and design of the hijab to match the school uniform. The principal and school manager have also been asked to submit an action report by 11 a.m. on October 15.
“In a secular state like Kerala, no student should be put through such hardship,” the Minister added. “The government will not allow any school to deny students their constitutional rights.”
The Minister’s statement caught the school authorities off guard. A school spokesperson expressed disappointment, saying, “When the parent had already agreed to follow the rules, the Minister should not have intervened publicly. Now we may have to explore legal options.”
The matter has now taken a legal and political turn, raising broader questions about school policies, religious freedom, and the role of the state in balancing both.
