Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The management of Somaiya School in Mumbai on Tuesday terminated the service of its principal Parveen Shaikh, days after she came under criticism over her posts on Hamas-Israel conflict on social media platform X, even as she termed it “politically motivated”.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, Somaiya Vidyavihar, which runs the school, stated, “Recently, it has come to our attention that the personal social media activities of Ms Parveen Shaikh, who holds a leadership position at The Somaiya School, have been starkly misaligned with the values we cherish… We strongly support the right to freedom of expression, yet we recognize that it is not absolute and must be exercised with responsibility and respect for others… Given the gravity of concerns, and after careful consideration, the management has discontinued Ms. Parveen Shaikh’s association with Somaiya Vidyavihar to ensure that our ethos of unity and inclusivity is not compromised…”
The statement added, “We believe it is crucial to safeguard the impressionable minds of our youth, and ensure that they are nurtured in an environment that upholds the highest standards of integrity and inclusivity.”
Shaikh was earlier asked to resign by the management following a report published on web portal OpIndia, highlighting Shaikh’s likes and comments via her X handle, on posts that were pro-Palestine and sympathetic to Hamas.
After the article was published on April 24, the management held a meeting with her on April 26 and asked her to resign. However, emphasising her freedom of speech in a democracy, Shaikh refused to resign, stating that she has given hundred per cent to the organisation. The management then sought a written explanation from Shaikh on May 4.
Expressing her disappointment, Shaikh who had a 12-year association with the Somaiya School and became its principal seven years ago, said Tuesday, “I was shocked to know the news of my termination from social media even before receiving it from the management. The termination notice is completely illegal and based on defamatory lies peddled against me. My work as a school principal has been exceptional and my termination for such reason is wrongful and unjust.”
She continued, “I am disappointed that inspite of my hard work, dedication and sincere contribution to the school’s growth over 12 years, the management chose not to stand by me in the face of this vitriolic public vilification campaign against me, and instead fell prey to it and took this drastic and unwarranted action. This action appears to be politically motivated. I hold firm belief in our legal system and the Indian Constitution and I am currently considering my legal options.”
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
