The conflicts surrounding the hijab in Indian educational settings are far from mere isolated incidents. They represent a fundamental clash between the desire for institutional uniformity and the constitutional right to individual liberty. Across numerous schools and colleges, authorities have responded in various ways – from outright bans and subtle discouragement to attempts at negotiation regarding the headscarf. These actions have often escalated, leading to police complaints, official investigations at the district level, and even petitions filed in court.
At its core, the administrative dilemma is straightforward: Can a school uniform be enforced without exception? The situation on the ground presents a complex federal picture: different states formulate rules differently, school administrations apply their discretion inconsistently, and parents, teachers, and community leaders approach these issues with their own understanding of risk and values. This creates a delicate balance between maintaining discipline and upholding dignity, and between fostering cohesion and respecting personal choice.
Every such incident serves as a poignant reminder that India’s educational system is tasked with a dual responsibility: ensuring order within the classroom while simultaneously safeguarding the rights enshrined in the republic. The most effective path forward involves crafting clear, precisely defined dress codes, allowing for sensible accommodations, and actively preventing arbitrary decisions from inadvertently becoming entrenched policy. Below, we delve into five significant hijab-related incidents that have recently put this uneasy balance of faith, policy, and uniformity to the test in India’s classrooms.
Image: A visual representation of the hijab debate in Indian schools, highlighting recent incidents that have fueled national discussions on dress codes and individual rights. (AI Generated)
October 2025: Kerala’s St. Rita’s Public School Embroiled in Hijab Dispute
In Palluruthy, Kochi, St. Rita’s Public School faced a significant challenge when an eighth-grade student chose to wear a hijab, contravening the established school uniform policy. Initially, the student was prevented from attending classes until she adhered to the dress code. Following repeated instances where she wore the hijab despite warnings, the school declared a two-day holiday (October 14 and 15) and subsequently filed a police report.
According to Principal Sr. Heleena Alby, as conveyed to TNN, granting an exception was unfeasible, emphasizing that uniform regulations apply universally to all students. The principal further claimed that the student’s parents, accompanied by a group, allegedly engaged in verbal abuse towards staff and assaulted security personnel, necessitating police intervention to restore calm. The Kerala High Court intervened, instructing law enforcement to ensure the school’s safety and postponing a petition from the school management until November 10.
P.M. Anas Naina, the student’s father, stated to TNN that his intention was not to inflame communal tensions. He expressed his decision to seek admission for his daughter at another institution.
July 2025: Chatra’s Plus Two Girls School Faces Allegations of Forced Hijab Removal
At Plus Two Girls School in Marwari Mohalla, Chatra, ten Class 9 students came forward with accusations that their principal had forcibly removed their hijabs. Principal Neetu Kumari Prajapati vehemently denied these claims, clarifying that the school’s dress code merely required students to store their hijabs in their bags during school hours and don them only upon departure. She also dismissed all allegations of assault.
Despite the students reporting to Sadar Hospital with assault claims, medical examinations revealed no physical injuries. Both police and education authorities, following their initial investigations, indicated that the allegations appeared unfounded. Mobile phones, which had been confiscated during the incident, were returned to the students, as reported by TNN.
Jahur Alam, Chatra’s Sub-Divisional Officer, highlighted the absence of any official guidelines concerning hijab wearing in schools, deeming the school’s actions as both uncalled for and contentious.
July 2026: Coercion Claims Emerge from Central University of Karnataka Field Trip
In Kalaburagi, an assistant professor at the Central University of Karnataka faced accusations of pressuring female students to wear hijabs during an academic excursion to Islamic cultural sites in Kalaburagi and Bidar. The Legal Rights Protection Forum formally lodged a complaint, advocating for disciplinary action against Assistant Professor Abdul Majid.
R.R. Biradar, the university’s registrar, confirmed the receipt of this complaint and stated that an internal committee had been promptly established to investigate the allegations, as reported by TNN.
May 2025: Meerut’s Khalsa Girls Inter College Under Scrutiny After Viral Video
A video circulating from Khalsa Girls Inter College in Meerut ignited public outrage, depicting a Muslim student alleging she was denied classroom entry due to her hijab. The student claimed she was instructed to remove the headscarf from her face before being permitted to attend class. In response, the college refuted any discrimination, asserting that no rules prohibited the hijab and that numerous Muslim girls attended the institution without incident.
District School Inspector Rakesh Kumar confirmed that an investigation into the matter was underway. The incident drew sharp criticism from Muslim community leaders and activists, who urged for transparent policies to safeguard religious rights within educational environments. The student’s family declared that their daughter would not return to the college until firm assurances of non-discrimination were provided, a detail reported by Clarion India.
August 2024: Bijnor’s Janta Inter College Sends Hijab-Wearing Students Home
In Mahua village, Bijnor district, Janta Inter College saw several students wearing hijabs sent home. The principal mandated that they return adhering to a specific dress code: white scarves and hair styled in two plaits. This directive led to protests from parents, which in turn prompted a police investigation.
Following discussions, District Inspector Jai Karan Yadav reported that parents agreed to conform to the dress code. The principal reiterated that school rules should be applied consistently to all students and should not be perceived as tied to religious affiliations, as stated by TNN.