Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has intensified his criticism of the St. Rita’s School management in Palluruthy, Kochi, amidst the ongoing controversy over a student being allegedly prevented from wearing a hijab. The Minister specifically highlighted the irony of a teacher who wears a headscarf herself being the one to object to the student’s hijab (religious headscarf).
Speaking in Kozhikode on Thursday (October 16, 2025, as per the source time frame), Minister Sivankutty warned the school authorities that those responsible for the student being forced to discontinue her studies or leave the school would be held accountable.
The controversy centers on a Class 8 student who was allegedly denied entry to her class for wearing a hijab, which the school claimed violated its uniform policy. Following the incident, the school declared a two-day holiday.
“It is an irony that a teacher who is wearing a headscarf (referring to a Christian nun’s habit/veil) is stating that the hijab is not allowed in the school,” the Minister stated, according to media reports. He underscored the government’s firm stance that no educational institution will be permitted to violate the constitutional rights and freedom of religion guaranteed to students.
The Minister’s statement comes even as some reports suggest the student’s parents had later agreed to adhere to the school’s dress code to settle the matter and allow the girl to continue her education. However, the Education Minister’s continued strong remarks indicate the government’s determination to pursue the matter based on the constitutional rights violation.
Earlier, the Minister had directed the school to allow the student to continue her studies while wearing a headscarf and had sought a report, which reportedly pointed to “serious lapses” on the part of the school authorities for denying the student’s constitutional rights. The school management, on its part, has refuted the Minister’s claims and the inquiry report, stating they have not prevented the student from attending classes and may approach the High Court.
