What is SDPI? Why the hijab controversy in Kerala has brought this controversial party back into focus. explainer news

A fresh political and communal controversy has erupted after a hijab-wearing Class VIII student was allegedly denied admission to a Christian-run school in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. But the controversy quickly escalated when the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) was accused of supporting the student’s family and “creating a ruckus” on the school campus.

So, what is SDPI? How is it linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI)? Why is it often surrounded by controversies in Kerala and Karnataka? Here is a detailed explanation.

Why is SDPI in discussion now?

On October 7, a Muslim student at St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Ernakulam, was allegedly asked to remove her hijab at the entrance of the classroom. According to the student, “This school is not allowing me to wear hijab. They made me stand at the entrance (of the classroom) and asked me to remove it. The teachers were rude. I will not study here.”

A fight reportedly broke out between parents and school officials, prompting the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to intervene. PTA President Joshi Kaithavalappil told ndtv: “A young girl in hijab launched a planned attack on a Christian-managed educational institution.” He claimed that the parents were supported by SDPI activists who, he alleged, “put more pressure on the school than on the parents.”

Matters worsened on October 10, when the student’s father and several alleged SDPI associates came to the school and allegedly misbehaved with the officials. In response, the school declared a two-day holiday and filed a petition in the Kerala High Court, seeking police protection.

Political reactions soon began. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shaun George said, “117 Muslim girls study here and they all follow the same rules. But in this case, the school was actually closed due to fear of the SDPI… This is the behavior of the Islamic State. This cannot be allowed.”

After a two-day closure, the school reopened on Wednesday in the presence of police and classes resumed with students in hijab allowed to enter.

What is SDPI and when was it formed?

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) was formed in 2009 as a political front of the Popular Front of India (PFI). It emerged from the National Political Conference held in Kozhikode in November 2009, which was attended by several Islamic, Dalit and OBC rights groups.

According to SDPI, its objective is to “empower the marginalized and deprived sections of India by ensuring their fair share in power and resources.” The party claims to represent Muslims, Dalits, tribals and other backward communities, but most of its visible leadership and cadre base is drawn from Indian Muslims.

The Election Commission of India recognizes SDPI as an unrecognized registered political party, whose election symbol is the lion.

How is SDPI linked to restricted PFI and SIMI?

SDPI is widely considered to be the political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI), an organization banned by the Government of India in September 2022 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ban notification termed PFI a “major threat to internal security”, citing alleged links with global terrorist organizations including the Islamic State, and accused it of running training camps and radicalizing youth in states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

But the roots of this network extend further back.

Before PFI came into existence in 2006, many of its founding members were associated with the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), an Islamist group that was banned in 2001 for alleged involvement in extremist activities.

SIMI promoted the vision of establishing an Islamic state and rejected secular democratic values. Following its ban, former SIMI activists reportedly regrouped under the new organizational banner. These included the National Development Front (NDF) in Kerala, which became the center of PFI.

The PFI was formally created in 2006 through the merger of three regional Islamic groups:

• National Development Front (NDF) in Kerala.
• Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) in Karnataka.
• Manitha Neeti Pasarai (MNP) in Tamil Nadu.

Over time, as this umbrella organization expanded its footprint, the SDPI was established as its political wing in 2009, ostensibly to give voice to marginalized Muslims and Dalits through electoral means. However, law enforcement agencies allege that SDPI acted as a front to legitimize and mainstream PFI ideology, while avoiding direct investigation under security laws.

A 2023 report by the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank, noted that “PFI leaders were often also SDPI officials”, making it difficult to draw a clear line between the two. The report argued that this leadership overlap effectively blurred the distinctions between organizations, allowing shared ideologies, funding, and mobilization strategies to operate under parallel banners – one social, the other political.

The Government of India expressed similar concerns in its 2022 UAPA ban order, saying that: “PFI and its affiliates including SDPI… are pursuing a hidden agenda to radicalize a particular section of the society and create discontent against the state.”

Despite these allegations and its name being included in the ban order, SDPI has not been outlawed. It continues to operate and contest elections legally, although under close scrutiny. The party has publicly denied any operational ties with the PFI, claiming that it is a separate, secular political organization committed to “social justice, empowerment and constitutional rights”.

Has SDPI been involved in other controversies?

Yes, SDPI has been repeatedly accused of inciting violence and creating communal tension, especially in Kerala and Karnataka. Some of the major controversies associated with the party include:

2015 murder of K Suresh in Kerala: SDPI workers were blamed in the murder of RSS functionary K Suresh in Kannur district. The National Investigation Agency also took over the investigation at one point, citing concerns about ideological killings.

2020 Bengaluru riots: On August 11, 2020, a mob attacked police stations and the residence of a Congress MLA in Bengaluru after a Facebook post considered offensive to Islam went viral. Three people died in the violence. Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai at that time alleged that SDPI played an important role in instigating the violence. Several SDPI workers were arrested, although the party denied any involvement.

2021 Kerala Gold Smuggling Probe Link Allegations: During the investigation into the Kerala gold smuggling case, some officials alleged that hawala channels linked to PFI and SDPI had helped finance radical activities in the state. However, the enforcement agencies have not formally linked SDPI to the case in court.

2022 BJP worker murdered in Karnataka: In July 2022, BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru was murdered in Dakshina Kannada district. Karnataka Police later arrested several SDPI and PFI workers in connection with the murder. The state government faced massive protests and resignations from BJP workers alleging appeasement of elements associated with SDPI.

What is the electoral footprint of SDPI?

While the SDPI claims to be a national party, its electoral constituency is mostly limited to Kerala, Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu and parts of Uttar Pradesh. It has never won a seat in the Lok Sabha or any state assembly, but has managed to secure municipal and panchayat seats, especially in Muslim-majority wards.

In the 2020 Kerala local body elections, SDPI won more than 40 seats. However, its rise has raised concerns among both left-wing and right-wing political groups, who accuse it of pursuing a divisive agenda.

So what will happen next in Kerala case?

The case has now reached the Kerala High Court, which will decide whether the school uniform policy can abridge religious freedom in a private Christian institution.