Complainants allege that the children were denied admission despite requests from teachers and PTA representatives
NEW DELHI — A headmistress in Kerala is under scrutiny for allegedly denying admission to about 30 Muslim students at an aided school.
“Muslims are not allowed in this school… children who come dressed in white clothing will not be admitted,” the headmistress of Dr CT Eapen Memorial RHS School in Sasthamcotta, Kollam district, allegedly told parents and students
Sasthamcotta is a village in Kunnathur Taluk of Kollam district.
A complaint has been filed against the headmistress, MediaOne TV reported on Sunday.
Around 30 students, including some from a dars (Islamic learning centre) in Chakkuvalli, had sought admission to the school. Complainants allege the children were denied admission despite requests from teachers and PTA representatives.
They further claim no action was taken even after complaints were submitted to the school management and the District Educational Officer (DEO).
The school has only 63 students from Classes 5 to 10, with just one Muslim student currently enrolled in the high school section, according to local media.
Teachers said they had worked to sustain enrolment through outreach, as further declines could lead to the loss of a part-time teaching position.
“The issue was that the children who came were Muslims… even the clothes they wore were a problem,” the PTA vice-president alleged.
Teachers also alleged that the headmistress had behaved similarly on previous occasions.
Kerala Education Minister N Shamsudheen said strict action would be taken if a complaint is received and verified. “No one has the right to deny a child access to education,” he said.
There have been earlier reports of Muslim students facing discrimination and religious bias. Last year, a Catholic school in Kochi barred a Muslim student from entering the school for wearing a hijab, prompting state intervention.
In February this year, a headmistress in Kollam district was prevented from entering her school for wearing a churidar instead of a saree.
If an investigation confirms that a headmistress or management representative blocked student admission on communal grounds, the state government can initiate disciplinary action, including immediate suspension. Persistent non-compliance with secular norms by a private trust or management can lead the government to withhold financial grants or temporarily take over school operations.
If the actions incite public discord or involve hate speech, local police can register a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting enmity between religious groups.
