Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Kochi, Oct 24 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Friday closed a writ petition filed by St. Rita’s Public School against a direction by the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education asking the school to allow a student to attend classes wearing a headscarf.
The move follows the decision of the student’s parents to discontinue her studies at the school and enroll her in another institution that allowed her to wear hijab.
Delivering the judgment, Justice VG Arun said, “After a detailed hearing, there is a welcome submission that the parents of the 7th respondent have decided to discontinue his studies in the petitioner’s school and enroll him in some other institution. In view of such decision, I am of the opinion that there is no need to dwell on the contentious issues raised.”
“The learned State Attorney has also submitted that, in view of this submission, the State has decided not to give a damn about the issue. This Court is happy to note that better understanding has emerged and ultimately, fraternity, which is one of the fundamental principles on which the edifice of our Constitution is built, remains strong. The writ petition is accordingly closed.”
St. Rita Public School, a minority community-managed institution affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, had earlier approached the Kerala High Court and sought police protection for its management, staff and students, citing alleged threats and mob intrusion by people from another minority community after the student was not allowed to wear hijab with the school uniform.
Following this, Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education had issued a directive directing the school to allow the student to attend classes wearing a headscarf.
The school challenged the order, arguing that state education authorities have no authority over the internal rules of schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, which fall under the purview of the Education Board.
With the parents’ decision to transfer the student, the court deemed it unnecessary to examine the legal and administrative issues raised in the petition.
–IANS
sg/red