Kerala Govt dismiss plea seeking permission to wear a hijab over SPC uniform; say wearing hijab will affect secularism

Dismissing the plea filed by the Muslim girl student, seeking permission to wear hijab and full sleeve dress in the Student Police Cadet project, the Kerala government said such a waiver in the state police's program will significantly affect secularism in the state.

 

In its order, the State Home Department said the government, after careful examination of her representation, 'is fully satisfied that the demand of the complainant is not considerable.'

 

"Also, if such a waiver is considered in the Student Police Cadet project, similar demands will be made on other similar forces, which will significantly affect the secularism of the state. Therefore, it is not appropriate to give any indication such that the religious symbols are highlighted in the uniform under the Student Police Cadet project", it said.

 

 

 

It should be noted that Riza Nahan, a Class VIII student of GHSS, Kuttiyadi, even after the Kerala High Court rejected her plea seeking to be attired in full-sleeves and headscarf (hijab) for Student Police uniform filed a petition with the state government. In her petition, she contended that the existing dress code relating to the SPC project is not in accordance with the religious beliefs of the Muslim community and therefore, should be allowed to wear cadet uniforms in accordance with their community customs.

 

The petitioner also argued that according to their beliefs, it is a religious obligation to wear hijab and full sleeve dress and is also her fundamental right, provided as per article 25 (1) of the Constitution.

 

The Student Police Cadet (SPC) Project is a youth development initiative that trains high school students to evolve as future leaders of a democratic society by inculcating within them respect for the law, discipline, civic sense, empathy for the vulnerable sections of society, and resistance to social evils.

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