An unnecessary controversy

The hijab row in a Christian missionary-run school in Kerala that hogged the headlines for four days in the State, is an unnecessary controversy. The row ensued after an 8th std Muslim girl in St. Rita’s Public School began to don the hijab over the school uniform from October 7. The move was opposed by the school management which disallowed the wearing of hijab leading to severe differences between the girl’s parents on one side and teachers and management on the other.

Parents objected to nuns describing the hijab ‘frightful for fellow students’, although the nuns wore a similar attire. They accused the management of causing mental trauma to the young student. With the controversy taking a communal turn, the school had to declare a two-day holiday. The Kerala government and the Education Department which conducted an inquiry, concluded that expelling a student from class for wearing a headscarf was a serious violation of conduct and a breach of the Right to Education Act.

State General Education Minister V. Sivankutty subsequently issued an order directing the school to allow the student to wear a headscarf in accordance with her faith. It is indeed puzzling that such a minor issue should have acquired communal overtones. Now that the girl’s parents have decided to withdraw the girl from the school and enrol her elsewhere, the controversy has subsided.

But it will be in the fitness of things if privately-run school managements specify such rules at the time of enrol ment and parents agree to comply with them. A school’s insistence to stick to its rules is as much legitimate as a student’s fundamental right to don an attire that her faith prescribes. Clearly specified rules would allow parents to enrol their wards in schools that satisfy their choices.