OUTCRY IN FRANCE AS SCHOOL PRINCIPAL QUITS AFTER DEATH THREATS AMID HIJAB ROW

NEW DELHI: In Paris, the resignation of a school principal has ignited a firestorm of support and controversy, touching on the sensitive issues of secularism and religious freedom. The principal, who had been at the helm of Maurice-Ravel lycee in eastern Paris, stepped down following death threats received after a confrontation involving a student's Muslim veil.

A Call for neutrality and safety

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, speaking out in defense of French secular values, underscored the government's commitment to those enforcing secularism in educational institutions. Attal, highlighting the incident, revealed plans for the state to file a complaint against the student for falsely accusing the headmaster of mistreatment during the February incident.

This case has rekindled discussions on secularism, a principle deeply ingrained in French law, especially following a 2004 ban on overt religious symbols in schools. The government's stance aims to maintain neutrality within state institutions, yet this recent event underscores the challenges of balancing these ideals with the rights and safety of individuals.

A wave of political reactions

Politicians across the political spectrum have expressed their shock and dismay at the principal's forced departure.

"It's a disgrace," Bruno Retailleau, the head of the right-wing Republicans faction in the Senate upper house, said on X (former Twitter).

Boris Vallaud, the head of the Socialist deputies in the National Assembly lower house, told television broadcaster France 2 the incident was "a collective failure".

Marion Marechal, the granddaughter of far-right patriarch Jean-Marie Le Pen and a far-right politician herself, spoke on Sud Radio of a "defeat of the state" in the face of "the Islamist gangrene".

Maud Bregeon, a lawmaker with President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, also took aim at "an Islamist movement".

"Authority lies with school heads and teachers, and we have a duty to support this educational community," Bregeon said.

Legal and social aftermath

Following an altercation where the principal requested the removal of Islamic headscarves in compliance with secular laws, he faced significant backlash online. The Paris public prosecutor's office has since dismissed the student's complaint against him, while an investigation into the cyber-harassment he endured continues.

The education ministry has reiterated its unwavering support for educators facing threats, emphasizing the collective resolve to protect the educational community's authority and integrity.

(With inputs from agencies)