Gujarat: HK Arts College principal quits workplace after trustees recall Jignesh Mevani invite

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): In-charge principal of the HK Arts College in Ahmedabad on Tuesday quit the workplace on “moral grounds” after the management of the institution denied permission to use college auditorium for holding an annual function where Vadgam independent MLA Jignesh Mevani was invited as a chief guest.

In his resignation, Hemant Kumar Shah stated: “Jignesh Mewani is a former student of this college and an MLA so I invited him as a chief guest. The students were opposing that he will speak something controversial or will remark pertaining to caste. The students even said if he comes they will let the function happen. Because of this fear the auditorium has not been given I believe,” Shah stated in his letter to one of the trustees named Amrish.

“I want to make you remember that earlier also many people having political background came to the college to participate in various programs. So, I don’t think this decision of mine was wrong. Just because students of a certain political party are opposing this, trustees have not given permission for the auditorium. I believe that this decision is totally unconstitutional,” he wrote.

“I believe that freedom of speech is important for all and it is the same for Jignesh Mewani as well. Instead, the trustees decided to kill the freedom by their own hands under political pressure making it an embarrassing, painful and shameful act,” the letter read.

“When I accepted the post of principal I believed I could do a lot for the society and college. But, now my this belief has been proven wrong and I am saddened by this. I can’t stay in that institute which is a slave of a political party. I can’t work as a slave. So, I am resigning from this post of the principal,” the letter read.

[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]