A Catholic school in Kerala has found itself at the centre of a Hijab row.
The controversy erupted on October 7. St. Rita’s Public School in Kochi had barred a student from wearing a hijab, a headscarf covering her hair, neck, and ears.
When the girl, studying in class 8th, reportedly refused to remove the scarf, the school prohibited her from entering the classroom.
The incident prompted the girl’s parents to confront the school management, which led to a heated discussion.
Hijab row in Kerala school
The school’s principal, Heleena Alby, claimed that the parents brought some members of The Social Democratic Party of India and created a ruckus on Friday.
The school reportedly told the parents that wearing a hijab violated its uniform rules, and allowing one student to defy them could prompt others to do the same.
The school has claimed that the girl had been attending classes without a hijab for the past four months. She resumed wearing it last Tuesday, prompting the management to bar her.
A Parent-Teacher Association member, Joshi Kaithavalappil, told PTI news agency that the school had maintained a uniform dress code for the past 30 years, which students from all communities had followed.
School shut for 2 days
The girl’s father told the media that the family approached the school three to four times, demanding the right to wear the hijab. “
Meanwhile, the school declared a two-day holiday on Monday, after reportedly receiving threats from certain organisations.
The management has approached the High Court, seeking police protection.
The state education department has also initiated a probe after the girl’s father filed complaints to the chief minister and the education minister.
In the complaint, he has claimed that his daughter faced mental harassment at the school.
