South Central Kerala school hijab row and Andhra–Karnataka fight over Google Centre
14 snips
Oct 24, 2025 Shahina KK, a senior journalist with deep insights into Kerala's communal politics, and Indulekha Aravind, a business journalist specializing in economic issues, share their expertise. They dive into the hijab controversy, framing it as a battle between faith and education rights, while exploring its historical and political roots. The discussion shifts to the debate over Andhra Pradesh's new Google data centre, examining state rivalry and the implications of investment incentives. Both guests highlight critical local dynamics affecting these hot-button issues.
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Education Over Uniform Disputes
- The Kerala hijab case spotlighted that a child's right to education should trump institutional uniform rules.
- Shahina KK and hosts argued the immediate priority is ensuring the girl's schooling and safety over legal debates about religious essentials.
Father's Safety-Based School Choice
- Dhanya recounts the student's father's reasons: safety concerns and prior schools allowing hijab.
- She also notes local tensions and a PTA member's right-wing posts escalated the dispute.
Legal Framing Fueled Polarization
- Courts treating hijab as non-essential religion amplified polarization and produced strategic legal failures.
- Sudipto argued the legal framing served exclusionary political projects rather than protecting girls' education.
