The controversy erupted recently for wearing a hijab at a church-run CBSE-affiliated school in Palluruthy has deepened, with another parent deciding to withdraw her two children after a girl was allegedly
punished by the principal for wearing a hijab.
In a social media post, the parent said she was “horrified” by the principal’s remarks and described them as “insulting” to her faith and culture. “I am a person who wears the hijab. Saying that seeing a little girl in hijab will create fear in others is unacceptable,” she wrote, adding that such statements reflect “hatred towards other religious beliefs and practices.”
Expressing concern over her children’s upbringing in what she described as an intolerant environment, the parent said she did not want them to study under teachers and authorities with such a mindset. “We believe it will not be good for their future,” she added.
She said she applied for Transfer Certificates (TC) for both children on Friday and was informed that they would be issued within two days. The parent added that she plans to admit her children to Our Lady’s Convent School, where teachers assured her that students of all faiths are respected and treated with kindness.
This comes following an escalation of a dispute with the parents of the eighth-standard student over her wearing a hijab.
On Monday, the school declared a two-day holiday, as an official alleged that the parents were backed by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), a pro-Islamist political outfit, and that its members misbehaved with the school authorities, who are mostly nuns.
Authorities at the school had insisted that allowing a hijab was against the uniform and the management, and obtained police protection for the institution through an order from the High Court.
The matter came to public attention after a letter from Sister Heleena RC, the Principal of St. Rita’s Public School, announcing holidays on Monday and Tuesday, went viral on social media.
In the letter, the principal stated that a student’s failure to wear the prescribed uniform had led to pressure from the student’s parents, some outsiders, as well as a few students and staff members, who sought leave citing mental stress.
Later, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty directed the school to allow the Muslim student to continue her education while wearing a hijab, which was met with strong criticism from the Kerala Latin Catholic Church (KRLCC). He later said the issue was resolved amicably.
