Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The hijab controversy, a hot topic in India since January 2022, emerged from a clash between students and college authorities in Karnataka, a state in India. The dispute made its way to Karnataka’s High Court, which, on 15 March 2022, ruled that the hijab was not mandatory for religious practices. This decision stirred widespread debates, especially on social media platforms like Facebook. This study is focused on user reactions in The Times of India Daily’s official Facebook page, employing sentiment analysis to decipher public emotions, attitudes, and opinions. Nearly 200 comments posted on the verdict day were analyzed, utilizing the routine activity theory (RAT), spiral of silence theory, and online disinhibition effect. The research introduced a unique model, RAT+A, to enhance analysis. As a significant platform for public discourse, Facebook played a crucial role in capturing diverse societal sentiments and reactions regarding this social issue.
Source: First Monday
Authors: Nimmy Maria Joseph, Ritu Raveendran
Institutions: Jain University, Christ University
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407185976