The controversy surrounding a hijab dispute at a Christian-run school in Kochi, Kerala, has been resolved after the student’s parents agreed to follow the school’s uniform rules and allow their daughter to resume her studies.
The issue began at St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, where a Class VIII student was reportedly barred from attending classes for wearing a hijab. The school authorities stated that the hijab did not conform to their prescribed uniform code. Following the dispute, the school declared a two-day holiday to defuse tensions.
Local MP Hibi Eden intervened to mediate between the school management and the student’s family. After discussions, the parents decided to comply with the school’s dress code and expressed their willingness for their daughter to continue studying there. The MP also condemned attempts by certain groups to use the incident to create communal tension in the region.
According to school authorities, the student had previously attended classes in the regular uniform without the hijab. The change in attire reportedly came without prior discussion with the school administration. Once the matter was raised, the school informed the parents that head coverings were not part of the prescribed dress code. The management also clarified that the girl was not mistreated or harassed over the matter, stressing that the institution follows a uniform policy applicable to all students irrespective of faith.
The incident quickly drew public attention and sparked debate online, with some groups accusing the school of being intolerant while others supported the need to maintain uniformity in educational institutions. The controversy highlighted the delicate balance between religious expression and institutional discipline in Kerala’s multicultural and multi-faith society.
With the mediation efforts proving successful, both sides agreed to move forward peacefully. The parents’ decision to follow the uniform rules helped defuse what could have escalated into a larger communal issue. Local leaders urged the public to maintain harmony and avoid politicizing such matters.
The resolution marks an end to the latest in a series of hijab-related debates across India, underscoring the importance of dialogue and sensitivity when addressing issues of faith and school discipline. The student is expected to return to class once the school reopens, signaling a return to normalcy at St. Rita’s Public School in Kochi.
