Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar Condemns Palluruthy Hijab Controversy, Alleges Political Orchestration

Kochi, October 14: Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has strongly criticized the ongoing hijab controversy at a private school in Palluruthy, describing it as “a very distressing situation” and alleging that it is politically motivated.

In an interview with CNN-News18, Chandrasekhar remarked, “Politics in Kerala has descended to a level where the Congress, on one hand, claims to uphold the Constitution, yet forms alliances with Jamaat-e-Islami — a group that often questions that very Constitution. This is a clear surrender before divisive forces.”

Drawing parallels with developments in neighboring Karnataka, Chandrasekhar added, “We are witnessing a tortured form of politics being played out in Kerala. The Hindu community, in particular, continues to bear the brunt of this manipulation.”

Speaking specifically about the hijab controversy, he alleged, “This incident is 100 percent orchestrated. It is a test of Kerala’s political culture and social fabric — a form of political posturing, clearly backed by Congress and its affiliates.”

The controversy erupted at St. Rita’s Public School in Kochi’s Palluruthy, managed by a Christian congregation, following a confrontation between the school and the parents of an eighth-grade student who insisted on wearing a hijab in violation of the school’s prescribed uniform.

According to reports, the situation escalated when members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) allegedly intervened and misbehaved with the school authorities, who are primarily nuns. In response to the tension, the school declared a two-day holiday on October 13 and 14.

A letter issued by Sister Heleena RC, the school’s principal, explaining the decision was widely circulated on social media. The letter stated that “due to pressure from a student who arrived without the prescribed uniform, her parents, and certain individuals not connected to the school, several students and staff members sought leave citing mental stress.”

The decision to temporarily close the school was reportedly made after consultations with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

PTA member Joshi Kaithavalappil told PTI that the school has maintained a uniform dress code for over three decades, with students from all communities adhering to it without issue.

The principal further recounted that on October 10, the student arrived wearing the hijab and was taken to the conference room for discussion in the presence of a teacher. “Her parents arrived shortly after, accompanied by about six individuals, and created a commotion inside the school premises. They even recorded videos during school hours while other students were present,” she said.

The incident has since triggered a wider political and social debate, with parties trading accusations over attempts to communalize the issue and exploit it for political gain.