A former school principal in Kerala has accused the management of a private school of terminating her services on the basis of false allegations, including an anonymous complaint that “people having suspected terror links visited her husband at the school quarters”, and has sought intervention from multiple authorities.
Dr S. Shamna Beegum, who served as principal of Dr GR Public School in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram, has approached the Kerala State Women’s Commission, the Kerala State Commission for Minorities and the courts, challenging her termination and alleging victimisation by the school management.
The school management, however, maintains that her services were discontinued following complaints received from teachers and students.
In a detailed representation submitted to the Minority Commission, Beegum alleged that the management cited different reasons at different stages to justify her termination. According to her complaint, explanations ranging from probation-related issues and alleged qualification concerns to proceedings before the Child Rights Commission and performance-related shortcomings were invoked at various times.
She contended that the action against her began after she raised concerns regarding student welfare, health and safety issues, waste burning, wastewater disposal and alleged administrative irregularities within the school. She claimed the termination was retaliatory rather than a routine probation-related decision.
One of the most serious allegations raised by Beegum concerns an anonymous complaint that allegedly claimed persons with suspected extremist or terror links had visited her husband at the school quarters. She said such allegations later spread on social media, causing reputational damage to her family.
In her complaint, Beegum questioned why, if the management genuinely believed there were concerns relating to extremism or national security, the matter was never formally reported to the police or other competent authorities. She has sought an investigation into the origin of the anonymous complaint and the authenticity of the allegations.
The former principal has also disputed the management’s references to her qualifications and experience. According to her, the school management had verified her credentials before appointing her and allowed her to continue as principal for nearly a year. She has asked the commission to examine whether any official communication from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) actually questioned her eligibility.
Beegum further alleged that no charge memo, formal explanation notice, internal inquiry or disciplinary proceedings were initiated against her before the termination. She has called for an independent examination of school records, service documents, salary records and internal communications.
The complaint also raises issues relating to alleged cyber harassment, social media targeting and communal insinuations directed at her family. Beegum has requested a forensic examination of documents and records connected to the dispute and sought an impartial inquiry into what she describes as an organised pattern of victimisation.
The school management has denied wrongdoing and defended the termination. The matter is currently before the commissions and the court, where the competing claims are expected to be examined.
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