Kochi: The ongoing hijab controversy at St. Ritas Public School in Palluruthy, Ernakulam, took a new turn after school management representatives accused the Education Minister of making statements that could fuel communal tensions. School management advocate Adv. Vimala said the minister’s remarks were unnecessary and provocative, especially when the issue had already been amicably resolved between the school and the concerned family.
Adv. Vimala questioned the intent behind the minister’s intervention, noting that the student and her parent had already agreed to adhere to the school’s uniform policy. “I do not understand why the minister made such a statement when it was clear that both the parent and the child would attend school wearing the prescribed uniform,” she said.
She emphasized that school uniforms exist to promote equality among students, erasing visible differences of religion, caste, or status within classrooms. “Uniforms are meant to ensure equality among children. Government interference in this matter raises suspicion and sends a wrong message,” the advocate added.
According to her, the issue had already been settled at the school level. “The problem is resolved. The school authorities have not yet received any official government directive. Legal steps will be taken after examining the developments. The management will meet tomorrow morning to make a decision,” she stated.
The controversy began when an eighth-grade student was reportedly kept out of class for wearing a headscarf. Following this, the Education Minister criticized the school, describing its action as serious misconduct and directed that the student be allowed to attend classes wearing the headscarf as part of her religious expression.
The minister’s remarks came after receiving a report from the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education, which concluded that the school authorities had acted improperly. The minister also instructed the school’s principal and manager to address the student’s and parents’ mental distress and to submit a report on corrective actions by October 15.
Meanwhile, the student’s father clarified that his daughter would attend school wearing the official uniform from tomorrow, in accordance with the institution’s rules and regulations indicating that the matter had already found a peaceful resolution before the minister’s intervention reignited public debate.