Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Friday strongly criticised St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Kochi, for barring a Muslim student from wearing a hijab, stating that no school in the state has the right to violate students’ fundamental rights.

Calling the incident “extremely objectionable” and “against Kerala’s educational tradition,” the minister said the government is taking the matter seriously. He also noted the irony of a teacher wearing a headscarf while denying the same right to a student.

“All private school managements are bound by the Kerala Education Rules and cannot act above them,” Sivankutty said. He added that education is a right guaranteed to every child and cannot be denied based on personal attire or preferences.

The minister said the child likely experienced significant mental distress due to the incident, which is “unacceptable”. Schools in Kerala, he emphasised, must function strictly under existing laws and cannot make arbitrary rules that infringe on students’ rights.

The government, he warned, will not tolerate any action that undermines the state’s inclusive and secular educational environment. “We conducted an enquiry, found shortcomings on the part of the school and issued directions to address them,” he said, adding that the school should have acted with responsibility instead of “stubbornness and enmity.”

When the school and the Congress-led opposition accused him of aggravating the situation, the minister responded that the government could not remain silent when challenged by the institution.

Sivankutty also referred to the recent death of Arjun (14), a Class 9 student of Kannadi Higher Secondary School in Palakkad, who was found hanging at home on Tuesday. His death followed a warning by a teacher over social media messages and a confrontation with his mother.

The minister said the initial report from the Deputy Director of Education was unsatisfactory, and a detailed probe has been ordered. He urged schools, teachers and parents to ensure a peaceful environment for students.

The suicide had triggered protests by KSU, SFI and ABVP. The agitation ended after the teacher and headmistress were suspended.