The Kerala High Court has granted police protection to St. Rita’s Public School in Kochi’s Palluruthy area following a dispute over a Muslim student’s request to wear a hijab, which the school’s management says violates its uniform policy.
Key Points of Ruling:-
The Dispute: A group of people stormed into the school, demanding that a student be allowed to wear a hijab, contrary to the school’s dress code. The student had allegedly followed the dress code for four months before starting to wear the hijab.
School’s Stance: The school management claims the uniform policy is secular and essential for maintaining harmony. They stated that the student’s parents were informed about the dress code during admission, and they had agreed to it.
High Court’s Decision: Justice N. Nagaresh passed an interim order granting police protection to the school to maintain law and order. The court also issued a notice to the student’s parent and admitted the writ petition for further hearing on November 13, 2025.
Government’s Stance: Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty emphasized that students must follow school uniform policies and urged cooperation between parents and school authorities to restore normalcy.
Allegations of External Involvement: The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) alleged that the student’s parents were backed by members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), who allegedly misbehaved with the school staff.
The Kerala High Court’s intervention in the Kochi school hijab row has brought temporary relief to the school by granting police protection. The court’s decision aims to maintain law and order while the dispute over the school’s uniform policy is resolved. The case highlights the ongoing debate over uniform policies and individual rights in educational institutions.
