Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Wednesday softened his stance on a dispute over a class eight student's right to wear a hijab at a Church-run public school in Kochi, saying the issue should be resolved through consensus at the school level.

“If there is already a consensus on the issue, let it end there,” the minister said, while stressing that no one has the right to deny a student her education.

The management of St Rita's Public School in Palluruthy had declared a two-day holiday from Monday after tensions escalated with the parents of a student who insisted on her right to wear a hijab. The school reopened on Wednesday, but the student was absent citing health reasons, sources said.

Earlier, Sivankutty reaffirmed the student's constitutional right to wear a hijab, calling the school's earlier action of making her stand outside the classroom a “violation” of her rights. However, later in the day, the minister moderated his remarks, citing reports that the school and the parents had reached an amicable settlement.

School principal Sister Heleena Alby said decisions regarding uniforms lie with the management, backed by court rulings, and asserted that the institution would continue to uphold its policies. “Ours is a secular country. Everyone is equal here,” she said, adding that the student remains enrolled.

The school's legal adviser termed the Education Department's earlier report “incorrect” and maintained that the matter was resolved amicably, with the parents expressing their wish for their daughter to continue at the school.

On Tuesday, Sivankutty had directed the school to permit the girl to attend classes wearing her hijab and sought a report on the alleged denial of her religious rights.