Edtech Platform in Hot Waters for Dismissing Teacher Over Politically Charged Lecture
Edtech giant Unacademy is finding itself at the center of a social media storm after terminating the employment of teacher Karan Sangwan, who sparked controversy with his remarks during an online class. The criticism against Unacademy has been mounted by opposition parties, namely the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Controversial Lecture
During a widely circulated video, Sangwan urged students to vote for educated politicians, a statement that drew attention due to its political undertones. Sangwan’s lecture revolved around the recent bills introduced in the Lok Sabha by the BJP-led government, aimed at replacing archaic British-era laws. Although Sangwan refrained from directly naming any specific politicians, certain comments made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on social media were linked to Sangwan’s words, causing a stir.
Kejriwal’s Reaction and Unacademy’s Response
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether it was a crime to advocate for educated candidates in elections. However, this controversy led to Sangwan’s expulsion from Unacademy, citing a violation of the platform’s code of conduct. Co-founder Roman Saini defended the decision, stating that Sangwan’s actions breached the platform’s standards.
Sangwan’s Counterclaims and Pressure Allegations
Sangwan responded by alleging that Unacademy acted under external pressure, stating that his comments were edited out of context to fuel the controversy. He criticized Unacademy for invoking the “code of conduct” as a justification, arguing that the political implications of his speech were never explicitly addressed by the platform.
Political Responses and Social Media Outcry
The response to Sangwan’s dismissal was swift from political circles. Arvind Kejriwal defended Sangwan’s stance, emphasizing the importance of educated representatives in the modern age. Congress spokesperson Supriya Sreeneth also joined the conversation, highlighting past tweets from Unacademy’s leadership that critiqued the platform and praised certain political figures.
Sreeneth criticized Unacademy’s decision as bowing to pressure and lacking the resilience required for an educational platform. The controversy has ignited a heated debate over free speech, politics in education, and the role of technology platforms in shaping public discourse.
