Thiruvananthapuram: The hijab controversy at a school in Kochi is snowballing into a major row, with the vested interest groups trying to give it a communal colour.

The class 8 student of St. Rita's Public School at Palluruthy in Kochi is still keeping herself off the school as her parents are yet to make clear their stand on whether they will abide by the school uniform that doesn't allow hijab (headscarf).

The school management is remaining firm on its stand, citing a 2018 order of the Kerala High Court that gives rights to school managements to prescribe uniforms.

With the Social Democratic Party of India, the political arm of the banned outfit Popular Front of India, backing the demand to allow the student to wear the hijab and various churches backing the school management, the iss

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