New Delhi. The controversy arising out of a student not being allowed to wear hijab in Ernakulam district of Kerala was resolved on Tuesday. After reconciliation talks, the student’s father agreed to follow the school dress code. At the same time, the investigation report of the Education Department has recommended allowing the student to wear hijab under religious freedom.
The case pertains to the Catholic Church-run St. Rita’s Public School, Palluruthy, where PM Anas, father of a Class 8 student, had demanded that his daughter be allowed to wear hijab in class. The school administration rejected this as a violation of the uniform policy. Classes had to be suspended following tension in the school on Monday and Tuesday.
On Tuesday, talks were held between the student’s parents and the school management, mediated by Congress MP Hibi Eden, after which Anas said, “I and my daughter will follow the instructions of the school management. I do not want this matter to take a communal colour. We have to maintain brotherhood in the society.”
Hibi Eden said that some elements were trying to create communal division in the name of this dispute. He said, “This decision of the student’s father is a message to strengthen the secular tradition of Kerala.” Meanwhile, State General Education Minister V. Shivankutty said that the investigation has found serious lapses on the part of the school.
“Excluding a student from class for wearing a hijab is a violation of the right to religious freedom and education guaranteed by the Constitution. This is serious indiscipline,” he wrote on Facebook.
The investigation report recommended that the student be allowed to wear the hijab and that the school could dictate its color and design if it so desired. The minister said, “No educational institution can function against the secular identity of Kerala. Such incidents should not happen again.”
Earlier, the Kerala High Court had ordered the school management to provide police protection in view of the possible law and order situation. According to school officials, the student was informed about the dress code (shirt and pant) from the time of admission, which she was following till October. This controversy had arisen after she came wearing hijab on October 7.