An esteemed economist, Minouche Shafik. Photo: Collected
An esteemed economist, Minouche Shafik was thrilled to become president of one of America's most prestigious colleges. But her name will now be tied with dramatic images of New York police arresting pro-Palestinian students at the Columbia University campus. Less than a year after taking up the role, 61-year-old Shafik finds herself at the heart of a storm over her handling of the protests that spread to other colleges in the United States.
Twice in two weeks, she asked the police to intervene -- first to disperse an encampment on the university grounds and then, on Tuesday, to oust students who had barricaded themselves inside a building on campus.
Spectacular images of helmeted police officers encircling the campus and detaining students were making the rounds overnight, prompting criticism for Shafik, particularly from teachers.
Even before Tuesday, Shafik was under fire on two main fronts. Republicans have demanded Shafik resign, arguing that she failed to protect Jewish students on her campus.
Meanwhile pro-Palestinian students accuse her of muzzling their protests and of escalating the situation by calling police in to manage the demonstrations.
Messenger/Disha
