Child panel wants order allowing scarves in schools

The first-of-its-kind order must stipulate that no scarf different from the colour of the school uniform will be allowed.

The order was in response to a complaint filed by a Muslim student of Chinmaya Mission School, Taliparambu in Kannur.

The 9th standard girl's grievance was that she had to remove her scarf that she wore as part of her religious practice before stepping into the school compound as it was not allowed by the teachers. She pleaded that her rights as a child were violated due to the ban on scarf.

In response, the school authorities maintained that there was no ban on wearing religious scarf but at the time of admission, each student and his/her parents were made aware that the student must wear a scarf of the same colour as that of the uniform.

As there was no ban, the commission did not proceed further but it asked the higher authorities to issue an order to the heads of the educational institutions to ensure the religious freedom of Muslim students.

"Our Constitution guarantees the religious freedom and personal freedom of citizens. Besides, we are bound to follow section 14 of UN convention on the rights of child of 1989 to which India is a signatory," said SCPCR member Naseer Chaliyum in the order.