Kerala Education Minister Offers Support to Muslim Student Denied Entry Over Hijab in Private School

Oct 18, 2025 05:46 pm CST

Kerala's Education Minister V Sivankutty has pledged government assistance to a Muslim girl student barred from wearing hijab at a Church-run private school in Kochi. The minister promised a special order to facilitate her admission to any institution of her choice after the incident caused significant distress to the student, whose father confirmed she would not return to St Rita school. The controversy has drawn support for the student from the Indian Union Muslim League, which criticized the school's stance as "utmost intolerance" in a state known for its cultural diversity.