Ashoka, its ex-professors move to salvage situation
News of Mehta’s exit broke on Thursday—he resigned on March 15—and caused a stir among students and faculty of the university, and the academic community across India and overseas.
Ashoka University and the two professors who resigned from it last week, political commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta and noted economist Arvind Subramanian, on Sunday released a joint statement that sought to resolve a brewing controversy over the departures, with the varsity expressing “deep regret” at the recent events and acknowledging “lapses in institutional processes”.
The statement was issued jointly by Ashoka University chancellor Rudrangshu Mukherjee, vice-chancellor Malabika Sarkar, chairman, Board of Trustees, Ashish Dhawan, Mehta, and Subramanian. “We acknowledge that there have been some lapses in institutional processes which we will work to rectify in consultation with all stakeholders. This will reaffirm our commitment to academic autonomy and freedom which have always been at the core of the Ashoka University ideals,” it read.
“Pratap and Arvind would like to emphasize that Ashoka University is one of the most important projects in Indian higher education. They are sad to be leaving Ashoka, especially its outstanding students and faculty. They continue to believe strongly that Ashoka University should embody a liberal vision and commitment to academic freedom and autonomy. And they remain lifelong friends and well-wishers of the institution and are committed to its success wherever they are. They remain available for advice and consultation to the University in the future,” the statement said.
Mukherjee separately wrote to faculty and students, saying the institution’s founders have never interfered with academic freedom.
News of Mehta’s exit broke on Thursday — he resigned on March 15 — and caused a stir among students and faculty of the university, and the academic community across India and overseas. “After a meeting with Founders, it has become abundantly clear to me that my association with the University may be considered a political liability. My public writing in support of a politic that tries to honour constitutional values of freedom and equal respect for all citizens is perceived to carry risks for the university. In the interests of the University, I resign,” he said in his resignation letter. On Friday morning, his colleague and former chief economic adviser, Subramanian, resigned saying he was “devastated” by Mehta’s resignation, and it reflected the university’s inability to protect “academic freedom and expression”.
Mehta also independently wrote to students at the university on Sunday, addressing them as “superheroes” and urged them not to “press” on the matter. “The underlying circumstances that led to the resignation will not change for the foreseeable future, in my case, at any rate. So, I must close this chapter. I urge you not to press on this matter. I know you will be disappointed. But if I may exercise one last bit of professorial discretion: your mission is larger than the fate of two Professors,” he wrote in the letter.
“I hope the Trustees and Faculty will work with you to secure your renewed trust and confidence,” he added.
Mukherjee and Dhawan also separately wrote to students, alumni, and parents on Sunday, saying that Ashoka University “will remain committed to academic freedom and intellectual independence”, and that the founders don’t “have even an iota of commercial or business interest” in the university. “I know that this week has been full of anguish but it is in these moments that it becomes critical for us to come together and move forward. I admit that the departures of Professors Mehta and Subramanian make us all feel a tremendous loss but there is nothing for you to fear. As an institution, we are committed to freedom in every aspect. Even as we evolve, this commitment will never fade,” Dhawan said in its letter.
In his letter, chancellor Mukherjee said the founders never “interfered with academic freedom” at Ashoka University. The board of trustees also met the students’ body and the alumni council a day ahead of a two-day boycott of classes scheduled to be observed by the students. The strike was not called off by the time this report was filed
