"My 'activism' is to let all young people know that they’re seen" — Maulik Pancholy reacts to being disinvited from school’s anti-bullying event

Maulik Pancholy took to Instagram on April 19 to share his response to being disinvited by the Mountain View Middle School school board in Pennsylvania. The 30 Rock actor revealed that he learned about the decision via social media on Monday, April 15.

The actor and children's book author was scheduled to speak at the school against bullying on May 22, 2024. The board, however, allegedly unanimously decided to cancel his talk after some members reportedly voiced opinions about not hosting overtly political events. In response to the decision, Maulik posted a note and video on his Instagram. Explaining why he visits schools, he wrote:

"My 'activism' is to let all young people know that they’re seen. To let them know that they matter. When I talk about the characters in my books feeling “different,” I’m always surprised by how many young people raise their hands – regardless of their identities and backgrounds – wanting to share about the ways in which they, too, feel different."

Following the school's vote, Ten Cumberland Valley School District expressed their disappointment and wrote a letter in support of Maulik Pancholy.

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Maulik Pancholy pens note for readers and fans on being disinvited from school's anti-bullying event

Maulik Pancholy is an award-winning actor, author of children's books, and also the voice of Baljeet in the Disney animated series, Phineas & Ferb. In addition to public speaking and school visits, Maulik has also worked in former president Barack Obama's advisory commission on Indian American and Pacific Islanders.

He penned his thoughts in an Instagram post on April 19 and shared that his "heart goes out" to Mountain View Middle School, especially the students. He wrote about his experience while growing up and the lack/under-representation of people from his community. He noted,

"As a middle schooler, I never saw myself represented in the stories around me. I couldn’t find books that featured South Asian-American or LGBTQ+ characters. They didn’t exist."

He then continued by mentioning how something similar happened to him as an adult, emphasizing that "representation matters."

"And when I set out to write my own novels so many years later, I was still hard-pressed to find those stories. It’s why I wrote my books in the first place. Because representation matters."

The Weeds actor added that books foster empathy and expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the students and communities of Mountain View Middle School.

A letter obtained by People also shows the support received from Maulik by administrators of Cumberland Valley School District. The administrators expressed their "disappointment" in a letter dated April 18, which read:

“The Board made a decision that has had significant ramifications for our school community, especially for our students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

The letter further condemned the board's action. It also concluded by noting that Pancholy's assembly should have happened as the schools teach students to value who they are. They added,

“While the issue of ‘political activism’ was cited, statements made publicly by individual board members identified Mr. Pancholy's sexual identity as a factor, an identity shared by many members of our school community.”

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Maulik Pancholy's books explored- The Best At It & Nikhil Out Loud

Maulik (right) at the "Pay The Writer" Opening Night. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

The Best At It follows the life of a gay 12-year-old Indian American, who navigates bullying, identity issues, and joining a new school. In an interview with Elle, Maulik Pancholy reported,

"Letting kids know that their stories are important is a way to tell them they matter."

Nikhil Out Loud revolves around the life of a 12-year-old who learns to voice his opinions and rise against homophobia. It is also about middle school children recognizing who they are.

Both of Maulik Pancholy's books have been awarded to recognize the sensitive and yet complex lives of middle school students. The Best At It is the Stonewall Honor Winner and Nikhil Out Loud has been awarded the Lambda Literary Award.