A private university in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai on Thursday suspended an assistant professor for criticising Operation Sindoor, saying that she was involved in “unethical activities”.
S Lora, an assistant professor associated with the Directorate of Career Centre at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, posted status messages on her WhatsApp on civilian casualties.
“India killed a child in Pakistan and wounded two people in the early Wednesday strikes,” she posted on her status.
“Killing innocent lives for your own bloodlust and for your election stunts is not bravery and it’s not justice. It is a cowardice act!”, she wrote on her status. She also warned of uncertainties such as lockdowns and food shortages.
The screenshots of the post were shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter). There are claims that the screenshot was taken by some right-wing students and amplified on social media. This was further amplified by some Tamil Nadu based digital platforms.
Hours later, the private university’s registrar, S Ponnusamy, released a suspension order against Lora.
“Since Ms Lora… has involved in unethical activities she is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry,” the statement read. Her teaching profile was removed from SRM’s website.
Before the omission, the website said that she is currently pursuing her doctoral research in Irish Mythology. She was a recipient of the Best Teacher Award in 2016 and also received the Indira Gandhi Teaching Excellence Award in 2017 and has an experience of 11 years.
Reacting to the development, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu state secretary S G Suryah said, “We should also make sure Ms Lora isn’t appointed by any other institution. In case any institution appoints her, they should be hounded & shamed in public for their anti-India mindset.”
Since then, various links of right-wing handles have been threatening the SRM professor.
Her close friends have averred that her personal details are being circulated across various handles and WhatsApp groups. While there are more threats to her life and threats of arrest is being made against Ms. Lora for her WhatsApp status.
According to activists, the professor is feeling very unsafe.
