Kerala local body polls: Propelled to limelight by ‘hijab’ row in school

Joshi Kaithavalappil, the Parent-Teacher Association president of St. Rita’s School in Palluruthy, drew public attention following the stance he took in a recent hijab row. The school management had denied entry to a student who arrived at the school wearing a hijab and maintained that it would permit the student to come to school only if she complied with the school dress code. The issue had caused a major controversy. Now, Mr. Kaithavalappil is a candidate in the local body elections from Ward 62, Palluruthy Kacherippady. The school is in Ward 63, where Mr. Kaithavalappil lives. “Since it was reserved for women, I am contesting in the neighbouring ward. I am getting a lot of support from the people because of the stand I took in the hijab issue,” said Mr. Kaithavalappil, who maintained that he is contesting after being pressurised by the party. Mr. Kaithavalappil is the district president of the National People’s Party, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).