Student’s Father Backs Government, Warns Against Communalism

Kochi: The father of a student at Palluruthy St. Reethas School, who was asked to remove her hijab, has expressed his support for the government and criticised attempts to communalise the controversy. P M Anas, whose four daughters have studied in Christian-managed schools, said his eldest three daughters attended Fort Kochi Fatima Girls’ High School under the Canossian Daughters of Charity without facing discrimination.

“Our fourth daughter was admitted to St. Reethas in eighth grade this year. However, she was not allowed to wear her hijab. Even when she came to school wearing it, the hijab was removed and kept in her bag. Despite repeated discussions with teachers, no resolution was provided. Only recently, during a school programme, she wore her hijab, which triggered the issue,” he said.

Anas emphasised that the school had not informed them at admission that wearing a hijab was prohibited. “Had we been told, we would never have enrolled her. CCTV footage shows she was removed from her classroom and made to stand in the school compound under the sun.”

He added that his daughter is mentally distressed, and they have decided to transfer her to another school to ensure her education and avoid societal tensions. “We respect religious practices, and our daughter wished to attend school wearing her hijab. This reasonable request was denied. We approached the Education Minister and the government, who have been supportive, but the management still refuses to allow it,” he said.

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty called it “surprising” that a teacher wearing a headscarf did not permit a student to do the same. “Our enquiry found shortcomings on the part of the school, and directions have been issued,” he said.