Kerala High Court Grants Police Protection To School After Mob Intrusion Over Hijab-Uniform Row

Justice N Nagaresh passed the interim order.

The writ petition was filed seeking immediate police protection for its management, staff, and students following alleged threats and mob intrusion related to the school's uniform policy.

According to the petition, the dispute began when a student allegedly started wearing a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform, contrary to the school's dress code. The school claimed that her father, the fourth respondent, instructed her to do so, asserting it as part of their religious practice.

The school alleges that on October 10, 2025, around 9 a.m., the fourth respondent “unlawfully and forcefully entered the school premises,” manhandled security staff, and verbally abused the nuns, teachers, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members. The incident reportedly caused panic among young students.

The petition further alleges that the fourth respondent have been mobilizing parents from the Muslim community to defy the uniform policy.

The District Education Officer (DEO), Ernakulam, reportedly issued an email to the school seeking an explanation about the “non-enrolment” of the student. The school, in its reply, clarified that the student remained duly enrolled and that the issue concerned only the uniform policy.

Following the intrusion, the school claims to have filed multiple written complaints with the Palluruthy Police Station, the City Police Commissioner, and the State Police Chief, but no First Information Report (FIR) has yet been registered.

The management maintains that while its Management is Christian, its uniform rules are intended to foster and uphold secular and harmonious atmosphere within the school.

The petition cites the 2018 Kerala High Court ruling in Fathima Thasneem & Another v. State of Kerala, which upheld that individual rights cannot override institutional discipline in matters of uniform.

The matter is posted on November 11 for further consideration.

Case Title: St. Rita's Public School v Director General of Police Kerala and Others.

Case No: WP(C) 37785/ 2025

Counsel for Petitioner: Bimala Baby, Magi Pavithran, Roshan Shaji, Remya Thomas, Jasmine Ligy