In the buzzing digital sphere, controversies can arise anytime, and even educators are not spared from it. Recently, on August 13, a startling incident occurred involving a prominent educator named Karan Sangwan associated with the widely popular e-learning platform, Unacademy. He sparked a fierce debate by urging students to cast their votes in favor of 'educated politicians'.

However, it didn't end there. Sangwan went a step further, publicly praising the British colonizers for their "impeccable" formulation of laws, while simultaneously criticizing the recent introduction of three new laws meant to replace the IPC, CrPC, and the Evidence Act.

Just days after this event, Roman Saini, the co-founder of Unacademy, decided to intervene and take a significant step in response. On August 17, Saini made the firm decision to dismiss Sangwan from the e-learning platform. The gravity of the incident can be felt from the words of the co-founder himself.

To bring clarity to the situation, Saini released an official statement regarding the matter on a widely followed social media platform, Twitter. In his statement, Saini highlighted that while Unacademy prides itself on being a premier educational platform dedicated to offering unparalleled education, it also upholds certain core values. He expressed, “To ensure that our students have access to fair knowledge, we have put in place a stringent Code of Conduct for all of our educators. Everything we do is focused on our learners.”

Indeed, the sentiment reverberated that a classroom, be it physical or digital, should remain an arena of unbiased learning. Saini emphatically stressed that it is not a place where educators should express personal beliefs, as these can inadvertently mold the views and opinions of the young minds they teach. Reflecting upon Sangwan's breach, he further stated, “In the current situation, we were forced to part ways with Karan Sangwan as he was in breach of the Code of Conduct.”

However, like all controversies, this one too had its counter-narratives. The Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, didn't remain silent on this matter. Taking to the same platform as Saini, he voiced his concerns about the situation. Kejriwal posed a significant question that stirred public debate: Is it wrong to motivate individuals to support educated leaders? He added, “Is it a crime to appeal to vote for educated people? If someone is illiterate, personally I respect them. But public representatives cannot be illiterate. This is the era of science and technology. Illiterate public representatives can never build the modern India of the 21st century.”

This chain of events brings to the forefront an age-old debate on the fine line between freedom of expression and professional ethics. How far can one go in expressing personal views, especially when they are tasked with the crucial job of educating the next generation?

When discussions concerning politics and colonial legacy arise, they often invite polarizing opinions. On August 13, this was precisely what transpired with Karan Sangwan. The educator openly suggested to students the importance of voting for ‘educated politicians’, but it wasn't this alone that caused the stir. While Sangwan discussed the latest bills proposed in Lok Sabha by the current Narendra Modi-led government, he opined on a few sensitive issues.

The three bills in question were Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and The Bharatiya Sakshya. They are posed as replacements for the age-old British-era laws, specifically, the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. These laws have served as pillars of the Indian justice system for decades, and any change or replacement inevitably attracts both support and criticism.

Sangwan's standpoint was clear and unambiguous. In a video he uploaded to his YouTube channel, "Legal Pathshala", he candidly remarked, “It is a complete lie that the law formulated by the British has been repealed. The government claimed that they have changed the law. It is not possible. You cannot do it. The law is beautifully drafted by the British.” These bold statements undoubtedly caught the attention of many.

Furthermore, he expressed personal lamentations. All the exhaustive notes and studies he had amassed over the years concerning the existing criminal laws seemed to have lost their relevance overnight. A piece of his passionate discourse, where he mused, “Even I don’t know whether to laugh or cry because I also have a lot of bare acts, caseloads, and notes that I had prepared. It is hard work for everyone. You also got a job at your hand”, poignantly illustrates his frustrations.

He didn't stop at this. Emphasizing the need for informed voting, he remarked, “But keep in mind one thing. Next time vote for someone who is well-educated so you don’t have to go through this ordeal again, okay. Elect someone who understands intricacies. Don’t elect someone who only knows how to change names. Make your decision properly.” This video, laden with emotions and charged opinions, unsurprisingly spread like wildfire on social media platforms, especially Twitter.

Who Is Karan Sangwan?

For those unfamiliar with Sangwan before this controversy, a brief background is in order. Sangwan became an integral part of Unacademy's team in 2020. His academic credentials are robust; he boasts a master's degree in Criminal Law and another in Provincial Civil Service (Judiciary), as detailed on Unacademy's official website. With over seven years in the legal field, Sangwan pursued his studies at the esteemed Himachal Pradesh National Law University located in Shimla. His expertise, particularly in bare acts, is renowned.

Such instances as these reignite conversations around how educators must balance their personal beliefs against the responsibility they hold while influencing young minds.