Lora Shanthakumar, an assistant professor at Chennai’s SRM University, has been dismissed amid controversy over her anti-war sentiments expressed during Operation Sindoor, according to The News Minute. Shanthakumar, a Dalit Christian who worked in the university’s Career Development Centre, faced suspension on May 8 following allegations of doxxing by students—who leaked her personal information to right-wing social media outlets. This led to a barrage of online harassment, including threats, forcing her to retreat to her hometown of Kallakurichi for safety.
Her termination, as reported in the university’s order, was predicated on findings from an internal inquiry which suggested she had engaged in “grave misconduct” through “unethical remarks” against the armed forces while also identifying herself as a faculty member online. The order stated that these actions rendered her unfit for continued employment at the university.
The inquiry, led by Dr. Nisha Ashokan, Director of Student Affairs, took place from July 15 to September 26, with the final report submitted on October 30. Shanthakumar faced five allegations, including disruption of the institution’s “cordial atmosphere” and participation in activities labeled as antisocial and criminal.
The inquiry particularly scrutinized WhatsApp statuses she posted on May 7 during heightened India-Pakistan tensions, where she raised concerns about the implications of war. Her posts contained quotes, fact-checks, and warnings about propaganda, as well as criticism of civilian casualties. Of the twelve anti-war messages shared that day, only two gained significant circulation online.
Throughout the inquiry, Shanthakumar denied the allegations, asserting that her WhatsApp account was personal and not used to communicate as an SRM assistant professor. She highlighted that the temporary nature of WhatsApp statuses does not equate them to public social media posts.
Despite her defense, the inquiry committee concluded that her admissions and inability to demonstrate that she had not tagged SRMIST substantiated the charges against her. The termination order stated that all allegations were therefore deemed proven.
SRM University has granted Shanthakumar a 30-day period to appeal to the vice-chancellor. She criticized the inquiry process as superficial and alleged bias, claiming it was influenced by the university’s legal officer. Shanthakumar emphasized that there was no evidence supporting the accusations and noted the absence of her complaints regarding the harassment she faced in the findings.
In related developments, the Maraimalai Nagar police have summoned SRM registrar Dr. S. Ponnuswamy in light of Shanthakumar’s petition to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Special Cell, as reported by various sources.
The case highlights ongoing issues in India regarding academics—particularly those from marginalized backgrounds—who face severe repercussions for expressing dissenting views on political or social issues, often labeled as “anti-national” by authorities or targeted by right-wing groups. Notably, Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a faculty member at Ashoka University, faced arrest in 2025 for similar anti-war comments during India-Pakistan tensions post-Pahalgam attack.
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