9

May

Outcry Against Right-wing  Pressure on Teacher to Resign for Supporting  Palestine

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Today’s Edition

New Delhi, 9 May 2024

Anwarul Haq Baig

 

Support pours in for Parveen Shaikh, the highly regarded principal of the prestigious Somaiya School in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, from parents, students, and activists after the school management asked her to resign from her post under pressure from a report published by the pro-Hindutva portal OpIndia targeting her views on social media on the Palestine-Israel conflict and on Indian politics. Apart from parents and students, authors, lawyers, scholars, journalists and social media users are voicing support for Parveen Shaikh.

A recent report published by the right-wing website OpIndia has accused Shaikh of being “anti-Hindu” and sympathetic towards Hamas, based solely on some posts she had “liked” on X (formerlyTwitter). In a report dated April 24, OpIndia published the report with the headline “Special liking for Hamas, Umar Khalid, ‘liking’ anti-Hindu Tweets and abusing PM Modi: Meet Parveen Shaikh, Principal of prestigious Somaiya School, Mumbai.”

Article at a Glance

Principal Parveen Shaikh of Somaiya School in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area has received widespread support from parents, students, authors, lawyers, scholars, journalists, and social media users after the school management asked her to resign due to a report by the right-wing website Op India.

 The report accused Shaikh of being "anti-Hindu" and sympathetic towards Hamas based on her social media posts. Despite the pressure, Shaikh has refused to resign, defending her right to free speech and expression.

The incident has sparked debates around free speech, religious tolerance, and the role of educational institutions in upholding democratic values.

The OpIndia article, which has been widely criticized for its biased and inflammatory tone, alleges that Shaikh’s social media behaviour is “disturbing” and unbecoming of an educator entrusted with the care of “thousands of unsuspecting children.” It takes issue with Shaikh liking posts related to the Palestinian cause, criticizing the BJP government, and supporting student activists like Umar Khalid.

According to OpIndia, Shaikh recently ‘liked’ a post by Sulaiman Ahmed listing the countries that voted in favour of admitting Palestine into the United Nations. The report also claims that on April 12t, Shaikh ‘liked’ a post by Jackson Hinkle praising the children and grandchildren of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who were killed by Israel. OpIndia cited Shaikh’s ‘likes’ on tweets by writer Arundhati Roy, student activist Sharjeel Usmani, and actor Swara Bhaskar as evidence of her alleged anti-Hindu stance. The website further noted tweets by Shaikh criticizing or  making comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

OpIndia also highlighted Shaikh’s tweet supporting the wearing of hijabs in schools and calling the restriction on it a violation of the Right to Freedom of Religion.

She has a Master’s degree in Human Development, a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and a Master’s degree in Education. She has also cleared the National Eligibility Test and has been a successful principal. A keen academician and PhD scholar, she has been associated with the Somaiya School for 12 years.

In reply to the OpIndia report, the Somaiya Trust in its X handle writes, “We were unaware of the sentiments expressed until it was brought to our notice. We do not agree with such sentiments. It is certainly concerning. We are looking into the matter.”

But in a shocking development, the Somaiya Vidyavihar Education Trust, which runs the Somaiya School, has reportedly asked Shaikh to resign from her position as principal due to the controversy surrounding the OpIndia report.

Despite the mounting pressure, Shaikh has remained resolute in her stance, refusing to resign and defending her right to free speech and expression.  Talking to media, she stated, “I live in democratic India; I hold the principle of freedom of speech in high regard as it is a cornerstone of democracy. It is unimaginable that my expression would provoke such a malicious response, furthering their biased agenda.”

Amid the ongoing turmoil, in a powerful message to her students, she stated, “As your principal, I have always striven to create an environment of inclusivity and learning, guided by the values we cherish in our democratic society. Your continued trust and confidence in my leadership, despite these trying circumstances, reinforce my commitment to uphold these ideals.”

Shaikh, who has served as the principal of the Somaiya School for over seven years, has been widely acclaimed for her contributions to the institution’s growth and success. Under her leadership, the school has implemented innovative educational initiatives and fostered an environment of cultural harmony, tolerance, and peace.

Parents and students have rallied behind Shaikh, expressing their unwavering support and dismay at the school management’s decision. In their social media posts, emails and statements, they have praised Shaikh’s integrity, professionalism, and dedication to the school community. Many have criticized the attempts to label her as “anti-national” or “anti-Hindu” based solely on her social media activity, which they argue is well within her constitutional rights.

The support for Shaikh extends beyond the school community, with activists and civil society organizations condemning the OpIndia report and the subsequent pressure on Shaikh to resign. They have criticized the growing trend of targeting individuals, particularly from minority communities, for their personal opinions and beliefs, labeling it as a dangerous threat to free speech and democratic values.

Renowned author and illustrator Deepa Balsavar took to Instagram to express her solidarity with Shaikh, stating, “It is time to stop the madness and stand up for what is right.” She praised Shaikh’s professionalism and leadership, calling the allegations against her “malicious tweets” that should be disregarded.

Award-winning author Anukriti Upadhyay praised Shaikh and the school’s parents supporting her, saying they “chose the right side” to be written in history.

“Don’t let OpIndia kinds inject communal venom in Mumbai,” wrote lawyer Adv. M in solidarity with Shaikh.

Islamic scholar Samiullah Khan called it “stalking women’s activities” and “accepting the pressure is a victory of extremism.”

At Scroll.in, editor Naresh Fernandes highlighted the “disturbing case”, while columnist Shobhaa De tweeted “#supportparveenshaikh #standupfordemocracy”, saying Shaikh’s “exemplary track record” mattered more than a personal tweet.

As the controversy continues to unfold, it has reignited debates around free speech, religious tolerance, and the role of educational institutions in upholding democratic values. Supporters of Shaikh argue that targeting an individual for their personal beliefs and opinions sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the principles of a free and open society. The incident also highlights the growing influence of right-wing propaganda and hate speech, particularly on social media platforms, and the potential consequences for individuals and institutions that find themselves in the crosshairs of such campaigns.

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