Kerala school principal suspended over ‘defamatory’ CM post on social media

Just two days before his scheduled retirement, the principal of a government higher secondary school in Kerala was suspended on Friday over allegations that he shared an objectionable and defamatory edited image of Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on social media.

The action was taken by the state’s General Education Department against Javad S., principal of Government Higher Secondary School, Attingal, in Thiruvananthapuram district, following a recommendation from the intelligence wing headed by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). Reports indicated that attempts to contact the principal for comment were unsuccessful, Indian Express reported.

According to the suspension order, Javad had allegedly posted an edited image of the chief minister on his social media account along with content considered objectionable and defamatory. The order stated that the state intelligence wing, in a recommendation submitted on May 25, had warned that the post could send the wrong message to society and contribute to political polarisation among both students and teachers.

The intelligence authorities viewed the use of social media to defame individuals as a serious breach of service rules and therefore recommended strict departmental action against the principal, who is due to retire on May 31.

The suspension order further noted that government employees are prohibited under the service code of conduct from participating in activities of a political nature. It also alleged that the principal’s actions violated a 2017 government circular governing the use of media and social media by state government employees.