The Kerala government softened its stance on Wednesday amid furious debate over a hijab ‘ban’ at a Church-run school. Controversy had erupted earlier this week after a Class 8 student was not allowed to attend class for wearing the religious headscarf — prompting widespread outrage that forced the school to declare a two-day holiday.

“The student can attend classes wearing a hijab until she and her parents decide otherwise…If there is already a consensus on the issue, let it end there,” said Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty.

Meanwhile the school management has continued to defend its stance — insisting it has the authority to ensure equality among students in terms of uniforms. St Rita’s public school in Palluruthy reopened it doors on Monday after a two-day pause. But sources told PTI that the student whose parents insisted on her wearing the religious headscarf was absent due to health reasons.

What is the hijab controversy?

Sivankutty had directed the Christian-run private school in Kochi to permit a Muslim girl studying there to continue her education while wearing her religious headscarf on Tuesday. The minister also instructed the school’s principal and management to address the mental distress caused to the student and her parents in connection with the girl wearing a ‘hijab’ (religious headscarf) at the institution. An earlier statement said the school had been directed to submit a report on the matter by Wednesday morning. His directions came following a report submitted by the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education which said that there was a serious lapse on the part of the school authorities.

However, after the school management strongly defended its stand, the Education Minister addressed the media again, moderating his position.

He pointed to media reports that the school management and the parents have already reached a consensus on the matter.

“If there is a consensus at the school level, let it end there. But no one has the right to deny a student’s right to education,” Sivankutty said.

Citing the department’s report, the school’s alleged action of making the student stand outside the classroom for wearing a hijab was a violation of the rules.

“Certain groups are creating communal divisions in society over the matter. The government’s stand is to proceed in accordance with constitutional norms and court orders in this regard,” the minister said.

Sivankutty further said it had been learnt that the parents of the student had withdrawn their earlier demand for her to wear the hijab during school hours, and therefore the issue no longer existed.

“But no one has the right to deny a student her education — that is the government’s stand,” he added.