Overview

• St. Rita’s Public School in Kochi shut on October 13–14 after confrontations over an eighth-grader wearing a hijab that the management says breaches its uniform policy.
• The Kerala High Court granted interim police protection and told police to maintain order on campus, with the school’s petition scheduled for further hearing in November.
• Education officials visited the school, recorded statements, and indicated that denying education over a headscarf would be unacceptable, warning potential action up to cancelling the school’s NOC.
• The school and PTA allege outsiders, including individuals claiming SDPI links, entered the campus and created a commotion, while the girl’s family lodged complaints with senior authorities.
• Congress MP Hibi Eden said the student’s father has expressed willingness for her to continue under the school’s rules, a claim the school has not publicly addressed.