An assistant professor at a private university near Chennai was suspended on Thursday for criticizing Operation Sindoor, with the institution citing her involvement in “unethical activities.”
S. Lora, who served as an assistant professor at the Directorate of Career Centre at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, had posted WhatsApp status updates regarding civilian casualties. One of her messages stated, “India killed a child in Pakistan and wounded two people in the early Wednesday strikes.” In another, she wrote, “Killing innocent lives for your own bloodlust and for your election stunts is not bravery and it’s not justice. It is a cowardice act!” She further warned about potential disruptions such as lockdowns and food shortages.
Screenshots of her posts were shared online by a user on X (formerly Twitter).
Shortly after the posts surfaced, SRM’s registrar, S. Ponnusamy, issued a suspension order, stating, “Since Ms. Lora… has involved in unethical activities she is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry.” Her faculty profile was subsequently removed from the university’s website.
Prior to the removal, her profile noted that she was pursuing doctoral research in Irish mythology and had received accolades including the Best Teacher Award in 2016 and the Indira Gandhi Teaching Excellence Award in 2017, with 11 years of teaching experience.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, S. Muthamizhchelvan, did not respond to a request for comment.
In reaction, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu state secretary S.G. Suryah stated, “We should also make sure Ms. Lora isn’t appointed by any other institution. In case any institution appoints her, they should be hounded and shamed in public for their anti-India mindset.”
As of now, the assistant professor has not issued a public statement regarding her suspension.
