Hijab row at Kerala school: Education dept launches probe after parent’s complaint

Kochi: The state education department has initiated a probe into a complaint filed by the parent of a girl student at a CBSE school in Ernakulam’s Palluruthy to the chief minister, alleging that the school management did not allow her to wear a hijab (headscarf covering hair, neck and ears). The complaint was filed by the father of a Class 8 student of St Rita’s Public School, Palluruthy.

According to the complaint, the girl, belonging to the Muslim community, was denied permission to wear a headscarf along with the uniform. When she refused to remove it, she was allegedly barred from entering the classroom and made to stand outside.

The school management, however, said that a headscarf is not part of the uniform and that this was clearly stated in the rules and regulations provided to parents in the student diary at admission. The management also alleged the girl’s parents brought outsiders, including some SDPI leaders, to the school and created a disturbance on Friday. Following the incident, the institution was closed for two days.

“My daughter was admitted to Class 8 this academic year. For the past few days, the school had been insisting that Muslim students are not allowed to wear headscarves,” the girl’s father told Onmanorama. “Because of this, her class teacher made her stand outside the classroom for over an hour, called her arrogant, and ridiculed her in front of other students, causing her mental harassment. When my wife and I went to the school to meet the principal, we were told, ‘You can collect the Transfer Certificate and leave if you want’,” he said.

He added that around eight others, including PTA officials and teachers, spoke to them in a hostile manner. Furthermore, some religiously biased remarks were also made. Their entire conversation was in a tone suggesting they were not obligated to follow the rules set by the government. “As I was concerned that my daughter's education may be disrupted at the end of the academic year. That’s why I filed a complaint with the chief minister, education minister, education secretary and district education officer,” said the parent.

The father said the problem had persisted since the start of the year and that his daughter had regularly been forced to remove her headscarf before entering class. “This caused her mental stress, and she complained to her mother. Even though her mother requested the management, they did not change their stand. I am not asking for permission to wear a burkha — only a headscarf. She is wearing the school uniform and covering her head with a thattam (headscarf). My child’s fundamental rights are being denied,” he added. He also said his elder daughter's wedding and his eye infection prevented him from visiting the school earlier to follow up.

Meanwhile, Sr Heleena Ancy, the school principal, defended the management’s position. “The rules were clearly mentioned in the diary, and the parents were aware of them. The girl’s father came to the school with many others and created a ruckus. I alerted the police because students, parents and teachers were worried as the group questioned and threatened us,” she told the media.

A team led by Ernakulam district education officer visited the school on Monday and collected the statements from the principal and others. Deputy Director of Education, Ernakulam, Subin Paul, said that the department has directed the school to permit the girl wearing hijab in the classroom. “As per the law, she has the right to wear the hijab covering her head. The school’s claim that they will not permit it is not valid. We have asked them to allow the girl to wear the hijab. I am waiting for the DEO’s report. If the management does not obey the direction, we will have to cancel the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the school,” Paul said. 

Meanwhile, the school management has moved to the High Court seeking police protection for the institution. The petition alleged that the girl “began to wilfully disregard the prescribed uniform policy of the school, violating the binding terms agreed upon at the time of admission.” Also, the school alleged that the girl’s parent and their associates verbally abused the teachers and that they were contacting parents of Muslim students and instigating them to send their children wearing headscarves with the ulterior motive of creating communal tension. It is also submitted that the police did not file a case despite the school’s complaint.

Advocate Vimala Binu, who appeared for the school, said that the High Court has passed an interim order. “The court directed the police to give protection to the school for its smooth functioning and sought a report on the incident,” Binu said.