Kerala school hijab row: Education Minister says govt won’t let schools become flashpoints over students’ rights to freedom of religion and expression

Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) said the government would not allow schools in the State to become religious flashpoints over students’ rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution. 

Mr Sivankutty told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the management of St. Rita’s Public School at Palluruthy in Kochi had “violated the fundamental rights” of a girl student who wore a headscarf (hijab)  to the school. He said the school authorities had denied the student her right to education by making her stand outside the class for “violating” the institution’s “dress code”. 

Mr Sivankutty said the Deputy Director of Education, Ernakulam, Subin Paul, had tasked the District Education Officer with conducting an inquiry. The official submitted the five-page report to the government on Wednesday. 

Mr Sivankutty said the report pointed to serious lapses on the part of the school management. “The school can decide the design and colour of its students’ uniform. However, it has no right to infringe on the students’ constitutional rights. The government has asked the school management to render an explanation without delay. Consequent action, if any, would depend on the school’s clarification”, he added. 

Mr Sivankutty said the government would not allow any elements to create social friction in schools or Kerala society at large.

The school had remained shuttered for two days after the issue provoked social tensions. The police gave the school protection after the issue threatened to escalate. Subsequently, elected people’s representatives, including Hibi Eden, MP, spoke to the girl’s aggrieved parents and mediated a settlement. 

Sivankutty welcomes rapprochement

Mr Sivankutty welcomed the rapprochement. “MPs and MLAs have the right to settle such disputes. However, the government is not a party to the mediation between the elected representatives, the PTA and the school management”, he added.