Hijab row: Kochi school reopens under police watch as Kerala government cites rights violation

Kochi: St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Kochi, reopened on Wednesday amid heavy police presence after remaining closed for two days following a row over a Class 8 student wearing a hijab.

The student, who had insisted on wearing the headscarf, did not attend school, with her parent citing health reasons for her absence. The controversy began when the school authorities allegedly barred the girl from entering the classroom for wearing a hijab.

The incident sparked protests and widespread public debate, prompting urgent intervention from the Kerala government.

On Tuesday, the student’s father said the family wished for their daughter to continue studying at the same school and was willing to follow the school’s dress code. “We do not want this to be exploited for any communal agenda,” he said.

This position was announced after a meeting between the family and the school management, mediated by MP Hibi Eden and Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas.

Family representative Anas reiterated their willingness to comply with the school’s uniform policy while firmly rejecting attempts by external groups to inflame the issue.

Hibi Eden accused BJP-RSS groups of deliberately trying to provoke unrest, asserting that “no one will be allowed to create communal divisions”.

State Education Minister V. Sivankutty said the government had acted promptly after receiving the father’s complaint. An inquiry by the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education found serious lapses on the part of the school administration.

The inquiry concluded that denying a student entry for wearing a headscarf constituted a serious violation of the Right to Education Act and the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.

Based on the findings, the government is expected to take further action, with officials emphasizing that students’ rights must be upheld.

Sivankutty said the school authorities have been directed to submit an action-taken report to education officials. Meanwhile, the school spokesperson said the management would review the matter on Wednesday in light of the Minister’s response.