Shillong, August 18: Unacademy, the educational technology platform, has come under sharp criticism for its decision to terminate a teacher who encouraged students to support “educated leaders” in voting.
This move has sparked outrage, with many labeling it an “inappropriate decision”, drawing parallels to the recent Ashoka University controversy where a professor resigned over his research paper on irregularities in the 2019 Parliament elections.
As per India Today, Karan Sangwan, the dismissed teacher, was let go by Unacademy after a video of him went viral, wherein he advised students not to vote for uneducated politicians who prioritize renaming things over meaningful change.
Various voices, including political figures, have expressed their displeasure. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate demanded an explanation from Unacademy’s founders, sharing a photo of Unacademy founder Gaurav Munjal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shrinate criticized the decision, stating, “Those who cower under pressure and get bullied can never help nurture citizens who stand up against all odds to take on this world. Sad to see such spineless and weak people run an education platform.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the reasoning behind considering the promotion of literate politicians as a biased opinion. She emphasized the positive influence such views could have on young minds.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde drew a connection between this incident and the Ashoka University situation. He argued that if educators cannot freely impart or acquire knowledge, the platforms they operate on, whether Unacademy or Ashoka University, cease to be arenas of intellectual exchange and instead become conduits of government-sanctioned ideology.
The Unacademy decision has ignited debates around freedom of expression and the role of educational institutions in promoting diverse perspectives.