In a significant leadership change at The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited (THGPPL), Nirmala Lakshman has been unanimously appointed as the new chairperson of the Board of Directors. She succeeds her sister Malini Parthasarathy, who completed her three-year term and stepped down from the position.
Unhappy Malini Parthasarathy Resigns as Director
Although the transition at the top level was anticipated, Malini Parthasarathy's departure from the board stirred controversy. Following the board meeting, she took to Twitter to announce her resignation from both the chairperson position and the board itself. She expressed concerns about the diminishing space for her editorial views, which led to her decision to move on.
While Malini did not explicitly elaborate on the reasons behind her shrinking editorial space, it is widely believed that the board restricted her ability to adopt a right-leaning and pro-BJP editorial stance. The Hindu, historically known for its left-of-center stance and criticism of Hindutva ideologies, witnessed a shift as Malini attempted to align herself more with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, her critics pointed to past incidents and viral videos as evidence of inconsistency.
Who is Nirmala Lakshman?
Nirmala Lakshman, a PhD holder in post-modern literature, assumes the role of chairperson for a three-year term. Previously serving as Joint Editor of The Hindu, she played a key role in relaunching various feature supplements and organizing the publication's annual literary festival, Lit for Life.
Recognition and Appreciation for Malini Parthasarathy
The Board of Directors of THGPPL acknowledged and appreciated Malini Parthasarathy's contributions to The Hindu Group and its publications. The board commended her efficient leadership during deliberations and proceedings, as stated in an official announcement on the newspaper's website.
