At a time when Kerala’s ruling CPM is reeling under serious allegations such as the Sabarimala gold scam, a new controversy has erupted in Kochi over the Hijab issue at St. Rita’s School, Palluruthy. The incident once again exposes how the Communist government in Kerala under CM Vijayan conveniently uses social flashpoints to divert attention from its own crises, often in tacit coordination with Islamic radical elements who swing between playing the role of aggressors and victims to suit the narrative of the moment.
Sr. Heleena, Principal of the CBSE-affiliated St. Rita’s School in Palluruthy, Kochi, stated on October 15 that the report submitted by the Deputy Director of Education (DDE) regarding the Hijab issue in the school is factually incorrect. She added that Education Minister V. Sivankutty had reacted without properly studying the matter.
Sr. Heleena was referring to the incident reported last week, in which a student attended class wearing a Hijab, in violation of the prescribed school uniform.
The Principal stated that all children are treated equally at the school and that the management retains the right to decide the uniform. She clarified that the school had not denied the student her right to education, a direct response to the Minister’s accusation that the school had infringed upon the student’s constitutional rights.
The Principal further informed that the school had replied to the government in writing, reiterating that its position aligns with the 2018 Kerala High Court ruling on similar issues. The student has not been expelled; she participated in the Arts Day programme, and CCTV visuals prove her attendance. Hence, the DDE’s report to the government, she said, is untrue.
Joshi Kaithavalappil, President of the School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), also refuted the Minister’s statement, asserting that it does not reflect the facts. He confirmed that the student can continue her studies at the school, provided she follows the prescribed uniform. He revealed that one of those who came to create chaos at the school had claimed to be the Vice President of the SDPI’s Assembly Committee. Referring to the Education Minister’s remarks, Joshi remarked that Sivankutty was “a wrong choice” for the post.
Interestingly, Education Minister V. Sivankutty later backtracked from his earlier position. On October 15, he stated that if the school management and the parent had reached a consensus, it was welcome. Claiming that the issue had been resolved, he said government intervention was unnecessary. Yet, he could not resist injecting his brand of pseudo-secular politics by alleging that “some people” had tried to exploit the situation. Observers have remarked that the Minister should hang his head in shame for his unwarranted and irresponsible intervention.
Kerala Catholic Congress and the Church-run Malayalam daily Deepika strongly criticised the Education Minister for his baseless statement that the school had denied the child her constitutional right to education. The Syro-Malabar Church has also extended support to the school.
V. Muraleedharan, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister, stated that Sivankutty had bowed before religious fundamentalists. He alleged that Congress MP Hibi Eden of Ernakulam was trying to appease SDPI extremists which explained his claim that his party would not allow the RSS or BJP to “exploit” the situation. Muraleedharan pointed out that neither the RSS nor the BJP had intervened in the matter, and that Hibi Eden was simply afraid to name the SDPI directly.
It is now evident that Communist leader and Education Minister Sivankutty had to kneel as the school management stood its ground. The parent reportedly told the media that they agreed to abide by the school’s rules, and the matter has been settled without government interference.
BJP leader Shon George alleged that Hibi Eden’s visit to the site was an attempt to whitewash the SDPI’s bid to create unrest at the school. He claimed that activists from the outlawed SIMI, another radical Islamic organisation, had accompanied the SDPI cadre during the disturbance. George urged both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to refrain from appeasing fundamentalists.
Retired State Police Chief T.P. Senkumar IPS criticised the Education Minister’s support for the so-called ‘right to Hijab’. He questioned whether the Minister would likewise support Jain students (of the Digambara sect) if they demanded the right to attend school nude on religious grounds. He reminded that Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom, is not absolute and does not override institutional regulations. He also criticised Congress MP Hibi Eden for lacking the courage to speak out against the SDPI, which had instigated the conflict. Senkumar recalled the 2018 Kerala High Court ruling in the Christ Nagar Public School case, which upheld a school’s right to set its own dress code.
The CPM Minister’s backtracking marks a victory for justice. Religious fundamentalism and pseudo-secularism have both been defeated at St. Rita’s School.
The Organiser team spoke to Sr. Mini, the school manager, on the evening of October 15. She confirmed that the concerned student had not attended school that day, the first working day after the two-day holiday declared due to the Hijab controversy.
Exploiting the vulnerable to assert dominance has long been a classic Communist template in Kerala. Yet, when the so-called ‘vulnerable’ refuse to bend, the Communists have a habit of retreating, fabricating excuses, or using such incidents as smokescreens to shield their failures. The ongoing Hijab row in Kochi appears to be yet another such episode, a convergence of political opportunism and radical posturing.
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