New Delhi: A fresh controversy has erupted in the national capital after allegations surfaced that Muslim girl students in government schools in Old Delhi were warned against wearing the hijab. The spotlight is on SKV Chashma Building School in Ballimaran, which falls under the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Education.
The controversy centers around Principal Rajesh, who also serves as the acting head of SKV Zeenat Mahal School in Lal Kuan. According to reports, she visited the Zeenat Mahal campus along with Deputy Director Vijay Kaushik, Principal Prerna of Mata Sundari School, and Principal Iqbal Ahmed of the Zeenat Mahal School at Kamla Market. During the visit, Muslim students were allegedly instructed not to wear hijab on school premises.
Principal Rajesh later claimed her remarks were misinterpreted and that she merely intended to enforce uniformity among students, not to ban the hijab.
However, eyewitnesses and sources claim she went further, directing all Muslim students and teachers to remove their hijabs, and stated that hijab would no longer be permitted. One teacher reportedly protested, highlighting the Muslim-majority composition of the student body, but Rajesh allegedly responded that it was the teacher’s duty to implement the order.
Chashma Building School has a 100% Muslim student population, while Zeenat Mahal School is around 80% Muslim. Rajesh, as the temporary link officer, is handling additional responsibilities due to the lack of a permanent principal at Zeenat Mahal.
The Directorate of Education clarified that no official order has been issued banning the hijab and that school principals have not received any directive in this regard.
Imran Hussain, the local MLA from Ballimaran and a member of the Aam Aadmi Party, also refuted the allegations, stating that “students are free to attend school in attire of their choice.”
