The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Mumbai): Parveen Shaikh, the principal of Somaiya School in Mumbai, has been asked by the school’s management to resign due to her activity on the social media platform X, where she liked posts deemed controversial. This request follows a report by an online news portal on April 24, which labeled her a “Hamas sympathiser” and “anti-Hindu,” suggesting that her social media behavior was not suitable for her educational role.
Shaikh has refuted these accusations, asserting she is the target of a campaign to suppress her voice, emphasizing her belief in the democratic principle of free speech. “It is unimaginable that my expression would provoke such a response,” she stated to The Indian Express.
Despite the controversy, Shaikh highlighted the school management’s previous support and satisfaction with her contributions to the school. The management confirmed there was no formal policy on staff making political comments online but noted in a March meeting that staff could express personal views on private social accounts if they clearly stated these were personal opinions.
Shaikh, who is not a frequent poster on X, showed support through likes for posts about Gaza and others critical of the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. She has expressed her intention to maintain her position at the school, criticizing the news outlet that reported on her for its perceived bias against secular and constitutional values and the Palestinian cause, as she told the Hindustan Times.