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”.
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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.
