Sipu Jha
Hijab disputes in Indian classrooms are no longer isolated skirmishes; they sit at the fault line between institutional uniformity and constitutional liberty. Across several schools and colleges, authorities have variously barred, discouraged, or negotiated the headscarf triggering police complaints, district-level probes, and courtroom petitions. The administrative question is simple: Can a uniform be absolute? What follows is a classic federal mosaic: States frame rules differently, managements exercise discretion unevenly, and parents, teachers, and community leaders respond with their own risk calculus: Discipline versus dignity, cohesion versus choice. Each episode is a reminder that India’s education governance is asked to deliver two goods at once: Order in the classroom and rights in the republic. The real work lies in drafting clear, narrowly tailored dress codes, enabling reasonable accommodations, and preventing ad-hocism from becoming policy by default. Here’s a look at five hijab flashpoints that have, in recent months, tested the uneasy balance between faith, policy, and the idea of uniformity in India’s classrooms.October 2025: Tension at St. Rita’s Public School in KeralaA dispute arose at St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Kochi, after an eighth-standard student wore a hijab, violating the school’s uniform rules. The student was barred from attending classes unless she complied with the dress code. Despite warnings, the girl wore the hijab again, prompting the school to declare holidays for October 14 and 15 and lodge a police complaint.The school’s principal, Sr Heleena Alby, told TNN that making an exception was not possible as uniform rules apply equally to all. The principal alleged that the student’s parents arrived with a group who verbally abused staff and assaulted security personnel. Police were called to maintain order. The Kerala High Court later directed police to safeguard the school and adjourned a petition from the school management to November 10.The student’s father, P M Anas Naina, said he did not wish to communalise the issue and planned to seek admission for his daughter elsewhere, as reported by TNN.July 2025: Hijab removal allegations at Plus Two Girls School, ChatraTen Class 9 students at Plus Two Girls School in Marwari Mohalla, Chatra, alleged that the principal forcibly removed their hijabs at school. The principal, Neetu Kumari Prajapati, denied the claims, explaining that the school’s dress code asked girls to keep hijabs in their bags during school hours and wear them only when leaving. She also denied assault accusations.The students reported to Sadar Hospital claiming assault, but no injuries were found during examinations. Police and education officials said the allegations appeared baseless during ongoing investigations. Mobile phones confiscated during the incident were returned to students, as detailed by TNN.Chatra’s Sub-Divisional Officer Jahur Alam said no official guideline exists on hijab wearing in schools, calling the school’s actions unnecessary and controversial.July 2026: Students coerced to wear hijab at Central University of KarnatakaAn assistant professor at the Central University of Karnataka in Kalaburagi was accused of coercing female students to wear hijabs during a field trip to Islamic cultural sites in Kalaburagi and Bidar. The Legal Rights Protection Forum lodged a complaint demanding disciplinary action against assistant professor Abdul Majid.The university’s registrar, RR Biradar, confirmed receipt of the complaint and said an internal committee had been formed to investigate the allegations, reports TNN.May 2025: Video sparks outrage at Khalsa Girls Inter College, MeerutA video surfaced from Khalsa Girls Inter College in Meerut, showing a Muslim student claiming she was stopped from entering class because she wore a hijab. The student said she was told to remove the hijab from her face before being allowed in. The college denied discrimination, stating there were no rules against the hijab and many Muslim girls attend without issue.District School Inspector Rakesh Kumar confirmed an inquiry into the incident, which has attracted criticism from Muslim community leaders and activists. They called for clear policies to protect religious rights in schools. The student’s family stated they would not return her to the college until assurances of non-discrimination were provided, as reported by Clarion India.August 2024: Students sent home for hijab at Janta Inter College, BijnorSeveral students wearing hijabs were sent home from Janta Inter College in Mahua village, Bijnor district. The principal instructed the students to return wearing white scarves and with two-plait hairstyles. Parents protested, prompting police to investigate.District inspector Jai Karan Yadav said parents agreed to comply with the dress code after discussions. The principal said the rules should apply equally to all students and not be linked to religion, according to TNN.
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