Mathew Antony, a member of the Congress party, issued a warning to the Somaiya Trust, implying potential repercussions, subsequent to their decision to terminate Parveen Shaikh, the principal of Somaiya School. Shaikh had garnered attention due to her social media activity, where she expressed unwavering support for Terror outfits such as Hamas, as well as Islamist preacher Zakir Naik, known for anti-Hindu sentiments, and Umar Khalid, considered the mastermind behind the 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi riots.
In an post shared on his verified X profile, Mathew Antony conveyed, “Once MVA comes to power in 2024 October in Maharashtra, Somaiya School will face consequences on this. I have spoken to Parveen Sheikh & have requested the Somaiya Management to stay away from the political trap of taking sides than to maintain neutrality. Seems like they have taken sides with the fundamentalists or their threats. Firing a performer & a long time teacher for 13 years plus Ms.Parveen Sheikh for expressing her independent views outside the campus, you have denied her fundamental rights. The old belief of Congress & others can be managed, is a forgotten past. We will uphold the constitution & the ones who have rejected will face it’s legal consequences as an institution & as a person. It is a pledge that we will do it. Enough of this nonsense.@OfficeofUT @AUThackeray @PawarSpeaks”
The Somaiya Trust in Mumbai made the decision on 7 May 2024 to terminate Parveen Shaikh from her position as principal of Somaiya School. This action comes in the wake of an exposé reports revealing Shaikh’s consistent support for terror outfits like Hamas, individuals known for their hostility towards Hindus.
In an official statement issued by the Somaiya Trust, the Mumbai-based school expressed its concern over Shaikh’s personal social media activities, which were found to be in stark contrast with the values upheld by the institution. The statement emphasized that Shaikh’s actions were not in line with the cherished values of unity and inclusivity.
The statement issued by Somaiya Trust read, “Somaiya Vidyavihar, with a legacy of over 80 years, has always upheld the priciples of knowledge, inclusivity, and service as the cornerstone of the educational philosophy. Our motto, ‘Knowledge alone liberates’, reflects our commitment to liberating minds through education fostering understanding and serving humanity.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.
At Somaiya Vidyavihar, we strive to cultivate an environment where knowledge leads to wisdom and uplifts all members of the community, transcending small-mindedness and personal biases. 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 these 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, We appreciate your patience and support as we work through this review.
Somaiya Vidyavihar remains dedicated to providing a nurturing educational environment that honors and respects all cultures and beliefs, contributing positively to society and our nation. 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.”
Our Media Statement on 7th May 2024 pic.twitter.com/CFgOS6oCvb
— Somaiya Vidyavihar (@SomaiyaTrust) May 7, 2024
Parveen Sheikh Favorably Engaged with Content Backing Hamas terrorist Ismail Haniyeh, ‘Resistance’ Movement Against Israel
Parveen Shaikh’s principal’s Islamist inclinations and her alignment with anti-Indian factions on social media. She frequently approves of Hamas declarations advocating their ‘resistance’ against Israel and endorses figures like Ismail Haniyeh, characterizing her as a staunch supporter of Hamas who justifies its actions as ‘resistance’ or ‘retaliation.’
Parveen Shaikh made a highly controversial statement implying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi acts like a subservient ‘dog’ to Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, using derogatory terms like ‘tommy’ and ‘fetch’. This disturbing behavior on social media is just one example of a larger trend.
In one instance, Shaikh accused Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan of betraying principles by urging the Indian government to resist external interference in domestic affairs.
Parveen Shaikh was observed advocating for the inclusion of Hijabs in government schools, despite the fact that religious attire isn’t obligatory, and the uniform serves as a reasonable limitation on the Right to Freedom of Religion.
Shaikh liked a post by Jackson Hinkle, known for spreading anti-Semitic content and fake news, which glorified the deaths of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s children and grandchildren as ‘martyrdom’, suggesting a belief that Hamas is divinely ordained to commit atrocities against Jews. Following the outcry, Somaiya Trust acknowledged the issue, stating, “We were unaware of these sentiments until they were brought to our attention today. We do not condone such views. It’s deeply concerning, and we are investigating the matter.”
(With Inputs From OpIndia)
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