KOCHI: A convent-run sch-ool’s curbs on wearing the hijab in Kerala’s Kochi have spiralled into a religious and political dispute, with three students seeking transfer certificates and CPI alleging the controversy is being stoked by Sangh Parivar to deepen communal divides.The row began recently when a class 8 student attended St Rita’s Public School in the Kochi neighbourhood of Palluruthy wearing a hijab, which the management said violated its dress code.The girl’s parents complained to CM Pinarayi Vijayan through his grievance redressal forum.An inquiry found the school had violated the student’s right to education. The school maintained it was merely exercising its right to enforce uniform rules. The row widened as two more students — from classes 2 and 3 — applied for transfer certificates Friday, with their parent alleging religious bias by school authorities.Jesna S Firdous, mother of the two students, said Sunday she decided to withdraw her children after seeing how the principal and parent-teacher association president allegedly treated a girl who wore a hijab. She alleged that the school management harboured deep prejudice against other religions and traditions. CPI’s Ernakulam district secretary M Arun alleged that the controversy was being fuelled by a Sangh Parivar agenda to create communal divisions. He claimed some Christian management-run institutions were being used to advance this strategy.
