Thalassery: The recent comments made by Kerala Minister V. Sivankutty in the ongoing hijab controversy at St. Rita's School in Palluruthy, Kochi, have drawn sharp criticism from the Christian community. Rev. Dr. Philip Kaviyil, Global Director of the Catholic Congress, has termed the minister’s remarks as tantamount to insulting Christian nuns and believers, demanding a formal retraction and public apology.
The controversy erupted after Minister Sivankutty commented on the irony of teachers wearing headscarves while students were restricted from wearing the hijab, a statement that, according to Dr. Kaviyil, displays a misunderstanding of both school regulations and religious sensitivities. “If the minister is echoing the words of some fundamentalist groups, he should not be blamed. However, as a senior government official, he must understand the reality before making such statements,” Dr. Kaviyil stated.
The Catholic Congress highlighted that the State Home Department had issued clear guidelines on January 21, 2022, banning students who are part of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) program from wearing religious attire like the hijab with their uniforms. These rules were designed to promote discipline, secularism, and reduce caste-religious distinctions among students. The organization questioned why Minister Sivankutty, as a member of the same government, is now taking a contradictory stance on a matter that has been legally and administratively clarified for over three years.
Dr. Kaviyil further accused the minister of deliberately targeting Christian institutions, noting that such statements risk creating unnecessary tension in minority schools and tarnishing their reputations. “The Christian community cannot ignore efforts that appear aimed at undermining the integrity of our schools. A minister who insults Christian nuns must apologize immediately,” he asserted.
Emphasizing accountability, the Catholic Congress called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to demand either an apology or the resignation of Minister Sivankutty for making comments that are insensitive to minority communities and religious sentiments. The statement underscores growing concerns about political rhetoric influencing school policies and fueling communal tension in Kerala’s educational institutions.
The debate over hijab usage in schools continues to spark controversy across the state, with various religious and civic organizations closely monitoring government responses and the impact of official statements on minority communities.