The management of a school in Assam has threatened to expel a four-year-old student for wearing a hijab (head scarf) to school. The incident took place at Kristo Jyoti School in Bokakhat, Golaghat district.
The problem started four months after the girl’s admission. A class teacher wrote in her calendar book (addressing her parents), “You have given in writing that you would abide by the rules and regulations of the school. Parents and students are expected to honour their commitment. Please see the rules on school uniform.”
The parents insist that their ward be allowed to wear the hijab, which, they claimed, doesn’t run against the school uniform code.
The girl, who joined the school in November 2012, was asked by the school authorities on March 21 this year not to wear the hijab. But when she continued to do so, the principal, Father Jose Varghese, served notice to the parents on March 28 to remove the hijab within 15 days or not send her to school.
Following the alleged warning of the principal, the parents have approached the Gauhati high court.
Advocate Jayanta Kumar Goswami, who filed a writ petition on April 8, said, “The case is expected to be listed for hearing this week. It has already been registered.”
Alee Ahmed, the mother of the girl, told this newspaper, “We were shocked at the behaviour of the school authorities. They have serious problems with my daughter wearing a piece of cloth around her head, which is a tradition. It doesn’t violate the uniform code so we have no other option but to seek justice in court.”
Shanamon, the father who is from Kerala, is in the Assam Rifles and posted in Manipur. The mother is a local resident of Bokakhat area. The parents also alleged that they were threatened by the school principal to follow his orders. The school management is adamant on expelling the girl if she continues to wear the hijab. “Her dress code violates the norms of our school. We wanted her parents to send her to school respecting the rules and regulations of the school,” said Father Jose Varghese in a letter to the parents.