Hijab row: Kerala school to move HC against DDE report
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Kochi: The church-run St Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, where a controversy erupted over a student wearing a hijab, has decided to approach the Kerala High Court challenging the Deputy Director of Education’s (DDE) report that alleged lapses on the part of the institution.
Joshi Kaithavalappil, President of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), told PTI that the report was prepared without a proper inquiry. “We have decided to move the Kerala High Court against the report. It was prepared without giving the school management or the PTA a fair chance to be heard or to explain the situation. Our lawyer will soon file a petition challenging its findings,” he said.
The DDE’s report claimed that the student had been forced out of the school for wearing a hijab, thereby violating her right to education. The school, however, has strongly denied the allegation, asserting that the student was never prevented from attending classes.
According to Joshi, the eighth-grade student did not attend school on Wednesday and Thursday. “We have learnt that she is unwell. The mid-term examinations are currently underway,” he said.
The student’s father confirmed that his daughter was unwell and emotionally distressed following the incident. “She has a fever and is very disturbed. We will ask her if she wants to continue at the same school. Only if she agrees will we send her back,” he said, adding that the family had been under severe stress. “We are ordinary people. What started as a small issue turned into a major controversy. We just hope it is settled now,” he added.
The PTA also dismissed reports that it had demanded a written undertaking from the parents, requiring the student to attend school without a hijab. “We have not made any such demand. While some parents raised the issue, no final decision was taken,” Joshi clarified.
The student’s father also confirmed that the school had not communicated any such condition. “No demand for a written undertaking has been made to us so far,” he said.
The controversy began earlier this week after the school objected to the student wearing a hijab, citing its uniform policy. Following tensions, the school declared a two-day holiday for students.
On October 10, the student’s parents, accompanied by others, visited the school to question the management’s decision. The issue escalated soon after, prompting the Kerala High Court to direct the police to provide protection to the school.
Meanwhile, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who had initially criticised the school, later stated that the matter had been resolved amicably.
With PTI inputs