The Somaiya management "discontinued theassociation" of their Principal Parveen Shaikh
No Indian Express, supporting Hamas, and glorifying terrorists is not ‘political opinion’: Somaiya school’s Parveen Shaikh gets usual cover fire from Leftist media
https://www.opindia.com/2024/05/indian-express-somaiya-school-article-on-principal-parveen-shaikh-support-hamas/ Indian Express suggested that Somaiya School should stand by Parveen Shaikh and “serve as an example for education leaders across the country.” What example does the newspaper want set for educators? That you can blatantly support terrorists and rapists like Hamas and be proud of it?
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/why-a-mumbai-school-principal-should-not-be-sacked-over-her-social-media-posts-9304414/ Liking a post on social media that valorises a Hamas fighter after what happened on October 7 is not expected from a school principal, especially one who has a stellar record leading an institution. But if the management of the Somaiya School in Mumbai presses its demand for Parveen Shaikh’s resignation, it will hurt the school. It will also send a chilling message to its students, and future citizens: That the price for expressing a political opinion, even if it is unpopular, is too high. If the principal can be fired for this, why should students debate at all? The school seems to be another in a line of institutions, great and small, that are willing to sacrifice their autonomy and “cancel” employees for expressing an opinion. However, the Somaiya School saga, as it has unfolded so far, also offers a ray of hope. The silver lining in the entire episode is that Shaikh, rather than bending, has asserted her constitutional rights and sense of professional duty. ” I live in democratic India; I hold the principle of freedom of speech in high regard as it is a cornerstone of democracy… I will not resign because I have given hundred per cent to the organisation,” she said. A significant number of parents too have reached out to the Trust that manages the school to express their support for Shaikh. The Somaiya School should stand by its principal and serve as an example for education leaders across the country. And, as a professional who leads an institution of learning, Shaikh should realise that her “liking” a social media post may be personal but its import will be public. Also available at https://www.indiaacademicfreedom.net/school-education/why-a-mumbai-school-principal-should-not-be-sacked-over-her-social-media-posts
Comments on WA GS: We are seeing too many of these. Very few managements/organisations/groups seem to have the ability to push back against such organised state-backed vendettas.