KOCHI: Giving a new twist to the hijab controversy at a Catholic school, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Tuesday that a departmental probe into the row has found “serious faults” on the part of the authorities at the institution.
The minister’s social media post appeared on a day when a delegation of Congress leaders, including Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden and Tripunithura MLA K Babu, met the student’s family and convinced them to follow the dress code pointing out that it may cause communal divide in society.
Meanwhile, the girl’s father P M Anas said his daughter will attend school on Wednesday and the family has not decided whether she should wear a headscarf or not.
“The deputy director for education in Ernakulam has investigated the issue and reported that there has been serious dereliction of duty on the part of the school that prevented the student from attending classes for wearing a headscarf. This is violation of the educational rights law. The report says it is a violation of the fundamental right of a citizen guaranteed by the Constitution,” Sivankutty said in post.
Student should be allowed to wear headscarf, says minister
“The school should permit the student to continue education wearing the headscarf, which is part of her religious belief. The school authorities can decide on the colour and design of the headscarf. The school principal and manager have been instructed to address the mental agony of the student and parents and submit a report by 11 am on Wednesday. No student should face such hardship in a state like Kerala which upholds secular values. No educational institution will be allowed to deny rights assured by the Constitution. The government will remain alert in such issues,” Sivankutty said.
Meanwhile, Hibi, who held talks with the school authorities and the parents of the students, told TNIE that the parent has agreed to follow the dress code. “We have convinced the parent and he has agreed to comply with the school rules. Some forces including the BJP were trying to instigate communal unrest by exploiting the situation. We spoke with the school authorities too and the student will be attending the classes from Wednesday following the school guidelines,” he said.
“We have to compromise to ensure social harmony. Congress leaders came and met me today and I am convinced on the need to compromise to avoid communal divide. My daughter will go to the school following the dress code from tomorrow,” Anas told TNIE. However, this was before the minister clarified the government stand in this issue.
Meanwhile, PTA president Joshy Kaithavalappil said the parent will have to give an undertaking in writing that he will not create such issues in future.