Amid the ongoing hijab controversy in Kerala, state Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Thursday accused a church-run school in Kochi of attempting to politicise the incident and portraying the government in a negative light. The minister emphasized that the Kerala government will not tolerate any actions intended to create communal divisions, stressing that the law will take its own course.

Background of the Hijab Row

The controversy began when a class 8 Muslim student was reportedly denied permission to wear a hijab at St. Rita’s Public School, a church-run institution in Kochi. Following the incident, the school announced a two-day holiday, citing disputes with the student’s parents. The refusal to allow the student to wear a hijab sparked public outrage and drew attention to issues of religious freedom, school uniform codes, and minority rights in educational institutions.

In response, the Kerala government intervened, instructing the school to allow the student to continue her education. Minister Sivankutty also urged the school management to address the emotional distress faced by the student and her family, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting students’ rights while maintaining communal harmony.

Minister Alleges Deliberate Politicisation

Speaking to reporters, Sivankutty alleged that the school management was deliberately politicising the matter to criticise the government rather than seeking a resolution. “The government made its stance clear yesterday. The school management is trying to politicise the issue. When the stance was clarified, there were threats from the school management’s side. They are portraying the government in a very negative light,” he said.

The minister further claimed that the school’s actions were not aimed at resolving the conflict but at creating a narrative against the government. Sivankutty cited a Facebook post by a journalist and a video involving a lawyer being questioned about links to a political party as examples of attempts to escalate the controversy. He reiterated that the government would not allow communal tensions to arise from such incidents.

Government’s Position on Student Rights

The state education department clarified that the issue had been resolved with the student agreeing to follow the school’s uniform code, but Sivankutty emphasized the importance of ensuring that the student’s right to education and dignity are protected. “The school was directed to allow the student to continue her education. It is imperative that the management address the emotional stress faced by her and her parents,” he said.

The Kerala government has consistently maintained that while schools can set uniform policies, they must respect students’ fundamental rights, including their religious and personal freedoms.

School Challenges Education Department Report in Kerala High Court

Following a report by the Deputy Director of Education (DDE) that highlighted lapses on the school’s part, St. Rita’s Public School has decided to approach the Kerala High Court.

Joshi Kaithavalappil, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president, said, “We have decided to approach the Kerala High Court against the report. It was prepared without hearing from the school management or the PTA properly or assessing the situation. Our lawyer will soon file a petition challenging its findings.”

The DDE report had alleged that the student was forced out of the school for wearing a hijab, constituting a violation of her right to education. The school, however, has denied this charge, asserting that the report was submitted without a thorough inquiry and did not accurately reflect the circumstances.

Wider Implications

The incident has reignited debates in Kerala and across India about the balance between institutional regulations and individual religious rights. Education experts note that while schools have the authority to enforce dress codes, any restrictions must be implemented sensitively and without discrimination.

Minister Sivankutty’s remarks underline the government’s stance on preventing communal polarization while ensuring that students, particularly those from minority communities, are not denied access to education or subjected to harassment.

Next Steps

As the matter moves to the Kerala High Court, the state government has maintained that its priority is the welfare and educational continuity of the student. Authorities have called on the school to cooperate fully with the legal and administrative processes while refraining from actions that could heighten communal tensions.

Meanwhile, the controversy continues to attract national attention, highlighting the need for clear policies regarding uniforms, religious expression, and minority rights in educational institutions. Observers suggest that this case may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, balancing institutional authority with constitutional freedoms.