Mumbai school asks principal to explain likes for 'pro-Hamas posts' on X

MUMBAI: The Somaiya School in Mumbai has sought a written explanation from its principal , Parveen Shaikh, who was asked to resign after liking certain posts on X that were “pro-Palestine and sympathetic to Hamas”.

The school sent her a notice on Saturday, asking her to justify why action should not be taken against her.

On April 24, a portal published an article claiming to expose Shaikh’s “disturbing social media behaviour”, accusing her of being a “Hamas-sympathiser”, “anti-Hindu” and a supporter of “Islamist Umar Khalid” based on posts she had liked on her X account. The school management contacted her and requested an explanation, which she acknowledged.

Shaikh told TOI: “It is not a simple explanation that they are seeking as being made out by them. It is a showcause notice as to why appropriate action not be taken against me as the allegations levied against me in the show cause. I am in the process of dealing with the same.”

Previously, Shaikh stated that her social media interactions, including posts on X, likes and comments, “aligned” with the “nation’s constitutional principles of secularism and free speech, and they reflect India’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause. It has come to my attention that the (Hindutva) platform and its affiliates, who have raised these allegations, may harbour prejudices against these constitutional values. It is a malicious response in furtherance of their biased agenda,” said Shaikh.

TOI spoke with several parents of the school’s students. While many praised her as a “brilliant” academician, others said they had noticed the changing nature of the school, which had started celebrating certain festivals and stopped others. Many mentioned that the names of the four school houses, which were named after Hindu Vedas, were recently changed to rare animal species.

Somaiya School spokesperson did not confirm or deny that Shaikh has been asked to resign due to the article on the Hindutva portal, stating, “We are looking into the matter.” Shaikh has been with the school for 12 years, serving as the head of school for seven.

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