Why #UninstallUnacademy is trending
What's the story
Ed-tech platform Unacademy firing tutor Karan Sangwan for urging students to vote for "educated candidates" has landed the company in a soup as calls for its boycott have gained momentum.
On Friday morning, #UninstallUnacademy was trending on X, formerly Twitter, with more than 2.74 lakh posts.
Several opposition leaders, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Congress MP Deepender Hooda, questioned Unacademy's decision.
Meanwhile, BJP and Hindu right-wing leaders, including Sadhvi Prachi, backed Unacademy's move, calling Sangwan "anti-national."
Context
Why does this story matter?
A video clip uploaded for students by Sangwan, who reportedly teaches law, went viral in which he urged students to vote for educated leaders rather than those who just "change names."
The statement was perceived as an indirect attack on BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was earlier caught up in a controversy over an alleged fake degree.
Some social media users alleged Sangwan was a Congress supporter, while others claimed Unacademy co-founder Roman Saini supported the BJP.
Statement
Breached code of conduct: Unacademy co-founder
Saini said, "We are an education platform that is deeply committed to imparting quality education. To do this we have in place a strict Code of Conduct for all our educators with the intention of ensuring that our learners have access to unbiased knowledge."
He said Sangwan breached the code of conduct by sharing personal opinions in class.
However, those opposing Unacademy's decision questioned how asking students to vote for educated candidates violated its code of conduct.
Twitter Post
Users pressured Unacademy to fire Sangwan
@unacademy please take strict action against @kRnSangwan otherwise public will take action against @unacademy https://t.co/jidP6wVYJw
— Arj (@Arj401805352921) August 14, 2023
Crossfire
Unacademy caught up in crossfire
As the video clip went viral on social media, many BJP supporters demanded that Unacademy terminate Sangwan and threatened to boycott the company.
Based on the posts shared by Sangwan on social media, some accused him of running propaganda against the BJP.
The company allegedly caved in and fired Sangwan, following which supporters of opposition parties attacked Unacademy, terming it "spineless" for firing Sangwan.
They also called out Saini's vocal support for the BJP government.
Twitter Post
Sangwan's supporters accuse Unacademy of hyprocrisy
This is a tweet from their latest partner. Their new cofounder as per their tweet. Is it not a violation of code of conduct? Karan sir sue unacademy big time for descrimination.#uninst pic.twitter.com/kx5uykwqjR
— Indian By Heart (@nifty_on) August 17, 2023
Details
Kejriwal, Hooda defend Sangwan's statement
Kejriwal questioned whether it was a crime to encourage people to vote for educated candidates.
Kejriwal, an IIT Kharagpur graduate and former civil servant, argued that uneducated public representatives cannot build a modern India fit for the 21st century.
Hooda, who along with Sangwan is from Haryana—ruled by the BJP and slated to go to polls next year—slammed the government for failing to provide employment and suppressing those who raised questions. He called the incident an insult to teachers.
Twitter Post
Unfortunate, insulting to teachers: Hooda
पढ़े लिखे नेताओं को वोट करने की अपील भर करने के कारण हिसार के अध्यापक करन सांगवान को Unacademy ने नौकरी से निकाल दिया।
— Deepender S Hooda (@DeependerSHooda) August 17, 2023
ना सरकार समय से भर्ती करती, ना कोई रोजगार की व्यवस्था। कोई सवाल उठाये तो इस तरह दबाव बनाकर प्रताड़ित किया जाता है। दुर्भाग्य की बात है कि देश में शिक्षकों को… pic.twitter.com/vtkBtW0Nzx