The Kerala High Court has held that a citizen’s choice of attire is a matter of personal choice and cannot ordinarily be dictated by another person or society without legal backing. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan made the observation while disposing of a petition filed by Sindhu S Nair, Headmistress of Eeswara Vilasom High School, Kottarakkara.
The Court was considering a dispute arising after the Headmistress alleged that the school Manager objected to her wearing a churidar and that she was stopped from entering the school on one occasion.
Background
According to the petitioner, on February 3, 2026, the Manager allegedly entered her office and told her not to attend school wearing a churidar. She further alleged that security personnel were instructed not to permit her entry if she wore the attire.
The next day, she was allegedly stopped at the school gate while wearing a churidar. The petitioner relied on a 2015 circular issued by the Directorate of General Education, which permitted teachers to wear churidar.
She approached the authorities and also sought police protection. An FIR was registered following her complaint. The Government informed the High Court that an enquiry had been conducted and a prima facie report had been submitted recommending disciplinary action against the Manager.
The Manager denied imposing any dress code or preventing the Headmistress from entering the school. He also disputed the allegations made against him.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan said the dispute was not merely about choosing between a saree and a churidar. According to the Court, it raised questions concerning dignity, autonomy and the professional standing of an educated woman.
The Court observed:
"Clothes may express culture, comfort and individual choice. However, they cannot ordinarily become a measure of a person’s worth or dignity. This case is not a contest between a saree and a churidar. The Court must decide whether a Manager can turn his personal notion into a binding command. The Constitution does not make a woman's dignity contingent on her conformity with another person’s preferred mode of attire."
The Court further noted that the relevant government circular permitted teachers to wear churidar and therefore the Manager could not interfere with the petitioner’s choice of attire on that basis.
The High Court declared that a citizen’s attire is his or her choice and that nobody can insist that it conform to social customs where there is no legal basis for such a direction.
The Court directed the police to ensure that the petitioner could enter the school freely and discharge her duties as Headmistress without obstruction from the Manager during her service.
It also clarified that any pending enquiry concerning the Manager could proceed in accordance with law after giving the concerned parties an opportunity of hearing.
The writ petition was accordingly disposed of.
Case Details
- Case Title: Sindhu S Nair v. Secretary, General Education Department & Ors.
- Case Number: W.P.(C) No. 6142 of 2026
- Judge: Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan
- Decision Date: October 5, 2026
