Principal’s Support for Palestine Sparks Controversy at Mumbai’s Somaiya School

Mumbai, 2nd May 2024: The principal of Somaiya School in Mumbai, Parveen Shaikh, has recently found herself in a challenging situation. Following her engagement with social media discussions on the Palestine-Israel conflict via a platform referred to as X, the school management reportedly approached her to resign from her position. Shaikh, who has dedicated over a decade to the institution and served as principal for seven years, has staunchly refused to step down, citing her unwavering commitment to the school’s mission.

The matter came to light after a report by web portal OpIndia surfaced, highlighting Shaikh’s interactions on social media, which were perceived to be supportive of Palestine and Hamas. Subsequently, a meeting was held on April 26 between Shaikh and the management, where she was urged to resign due to the perceived untenability of her association with the school in light of these social media activities. Despite the pressure exerted by the management, Shaikh stood her ground, emphasizing her right to freedom of speech within the democratic framework of India.

Shaikh expressed her perplexity at the management’s response, asserting that her personal opinions expressed on social media should not impinge upon her professional standing within the institution. While the school lacks a formal policy regarding political discourse by its employees, Shaikh noted that a previous meeting had clarified that personal views could be shared on private social media accounts as long as they were explicitly labeled as such.

The Somaiya Trust, which oversees the school, has refrained from commenting extensively on the issue, maintaining that they were previously unaware of Shaikh’s social media engagement and expressing their disagreement with the sentiments expressed therein. However, they have assured that the matter is under review.

In the midst of this controversy, some parents of students have voiced their support for Shaikh, commending her integrity, professionalism, and contributions to the school’s progress. They argue that her personal views on contentious issues should not overshadow her effectiveness as an educator, noting the positive outcomes observed in the students under her leadership.