A Muslim student in Providence Girls Higher Secondary School in Kerala’s Kozhikode district had to leave the school Tuesday after the school authorities said she would not be allowed to wear hijab.

The 16-year-old girl who was issued a transfer certificate, joined Govt Model Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode.

At the time of admission, the student who sought admission at the school for Plus One course, was reportedly told by the school authorities that she could not wear a shawl or scarf, as it was not part of the school uniform.

The student told Media One channel that she won’t be able to study at any school without wearing a hijab.

Musthafa, the student’s father told reporters that they had repeatedly asked the school authorities if the student could cover her head, as part of her religious beliefs, but the school authorities said that they could not bend rules for her.

Muslim Organisations including the Students Islamic Organisation of India and the Muslim Youth League have sought action against the school authorities over what they called the denial of the rights of students to wear hijab on campus.

Though the student’s father’s complaint was submitted to the Education Minister, no action had been taken against the school authorities. Last month, Minister V. Sivankutty directed department Director K. Jeevan Babu to conduct an inquiry into the issue. There were no developments.

The school is under Christian management and run by a congregation called Apostolic Carmel Southern Province.

“It was a denial of her fundamental right to study in a school of her choice. The MYL would launch an agitation if action was not taken against the school,” said leaders of the Muslim Youth League.

“The Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who raised the issue of hijab in Karnataka, which is the peak of fascism, is expected to continue the same position in his own state,” Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) leader Sathar Panthalloor said refering CM Vijayan’s recent speech in Karnataka.

This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com . Read the full story here