Principal Quits After Gujarat College Says no to Jignesh Mevani Event, Says ‘Can’t Work Like Slave’

A day after Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani's talk at his alma mater was cancelled by the authorities, the principal today quit his post in solidarity with Mevani and said he cannot work like a slave.

New Delhi: The principal and the vice-principal of HK Arts College in Ahemdabad tendered their resignation on Tuesday, after Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani was barred from attending the annual function as the chief guest.

An alumnus of HK Arts College, Mevani was invited by the principal to attend the function as the chief guest and conclude it with a talk on the lives and journeys of Dr. BR Ambedkar and freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

Reportedly, after learning about Mevani’s participation, the trustee of the college withdrew permission for the use of college hall- presumably under the pressure of a political party.

Explaining his resignation, Hemantkumar Shah, Principal of HK Arts College said, “When I accepted the post of principal, I believed I could do a lot for society and college. I can’t stay in that institute which is a slave of a political party and I can’t work as a slave. So, I am resigning from this post.”

He further explained how even some students started to oppose Mevani’s invite for the annual day.

On the issue of freedom of speech, Shah added, “I believe that freedom of speech is important for all including Jignesh Mevani. Instead, the trustees decided to kill their freedom with their own hands under political pressure making it embarrassing, painful and shameful.”

Vice-principal Mohanbhai Parmar also stepped down in solidarity with Hemantkumar Shah, citing similar reasons.

Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani tweeted about the incident, naming the college trustees and calling out their inability to stand up to fascist BJP forces.

H K Arts College with prominent trustees like B V Doshi, R Chaudhary & K Desai (all Padma Awardees) are not standing up against the hooliganism of BJP and its student wing. This is a shameful day for freedom of speech and democracy. Strongly condemn this move. @CMOGuj shame on u

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) February 11, 2019

Since @narendramodi became prime minister, many people have become spineless. Trustees of H.k. Arts college where I studied fall in that category, unfortunately. I salute toiling masses who always dare to take on mighty governments unlike many ppl with so called celebrated status

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) February 11, 2019

Hemantkuamr Shah, who was the head of Economics department at HK Arts College, had been with the institute for 15 years. On the other hand, vice- principal-in-charge Mohanbhai Parmar, who also resigned had been associated with the college for the last 10 years.