The hijab controversy at the Palluruthy-based church-run school has now developed into a full-fledged legal dispute, drawing attention across Kerala’s educational and political circles. The school management maintains that it followed institutional policy and did not discriminate against the student, while the Deputy Director of Education’s report has accused the school of violating the student’s rights by enforcing a strict dress code.
Sources within the school said that the DDE’s report was “biased and incomplete,” alleging that authorities had failed to visit the school or collect statements from all relevant parties. According to the management, the incident had been misrepresented as a case of religious discrimination when, in reality, it was a matter of enforcing uniform discipline. They asserted that the student was not expelled or suspended but had voluntarily stayed home after the matter gained media attention.
Legal experts involved with the school’s defence said that the upcoming High Court petition would challenge the validity of the DDE report, arguing that it violated natural justice by not allowing the school to present its version before conclusions were drawn. The school also intends to present attendance records and internal communication as evidence that the student was never barred from classes.
Meanwhile, the student’s family continues to express distress over the attention the issue has received. The parent stated that their daughter had become “mentally and physically exhausted” due to the controversy and was hesitant about returning to school. They reiterated that their only concern was ensuring a peaceful and respectful learning environment for their child.
Within the community, reactions remain divided. Some parents and local residents support the school’s decision to uphold its uniform policy, arguing that all students must adhere to the same dress code regardless of religion. Others believe the school should allow personal religious expression, particularly when it does not interfere with discipline or academics.
The Kerala High Court’s intervention has further raised the stakes. While granting police protection to the school, the court also emphasized that both the student’s rights and the institution’s autonomy must be balanced carefully. The state’s education department has been instructed to monitor the situation closely and ensure that tensions do not escalate.
As political reactions mount, Education Minister V Sivankutty’s remarks have intensified the debate. His warning to the school against “politicising the issue” was met with criticism from several church representatives, who accused the government of undermining minority-run educational institutions. Civil society observers now view the case as a critical test of how Kerala’s secular education framework accommodates religious identity within regulated institutional boundaries.
