Within two days of noted political commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s resignation from Ashoka University, eminent economist Arvind Subramanian too resigned as professor from the University.
According to a write up in the Edict, an in-house independent news platform of the university, the resignation of Professor Pratap Bhanu Mehta was endorsed by the Founders of the University. “This endorsement, according to a senior faculty member with whom our source spoke, was motivated by an understanding that if Prof. Mehta resigned, the University’s efforts to acquire a new plot of land to expand the campus would get much smoother. Additionally, formal recognition for the fourth-year post-graduate diploma, Ashoka Scholars’ Program, was also hinted at being part of the deal.”
The report goes on to say that a couple hours before noon on 17th March, The Indian Express reported that noted public intellectual and former Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, had resigned as a professor of political science in the University. The circumstances surrounding the resignation were unclear. The University had “sidestepped” a question by the Indian Express about whether the resignation was related to Prof. Mehta’s criticism of the government.
There is a large-scale protest from students who were seen with placards with “Break the silence, it’s time to grow a spine” written on it.Now the faculty at Ashok University released a statement today in solidarity with noted scholar Pratap Bhanu Mehta, who resigned as a professor of the university, stating that the teachers were “deeply troubled” by his exit, which possibly was “a direct consequence of his role as a public intellectual and critic of the government”.
Here is the full text of Arvind Subramanian’s resignation letter:
Dear Malabika,
As you know, I came to Ashoka University with the aim of teaching students, and building a centre for economic policy to build our national capacity for high-quality research, analysis and communication. With the University’s support, especially of key trustees, the Centre has been taking shape—with events, research projects, teams of talented researchers, and resources—beyond what I could have hoped for, especially considering the pandemic-induced constraints. The exciting sense was growing that some of our long-term goals would be achieved. And I was really enjoying getting to know and work with the brilliant students and colleagues of Ashoka.
However, the circumstances involving the “resignation” of Professor Pratap Bhanu Mehta, who is not just a dear friend but a truly inspirational national figure, have devastated me. I am acutely aware of the broader context in which Ashoka and its trustees have to operate, and have so far admired the University for having navigated it so well.
But that someone of such integrity and eminence, who embodied the vision underlying Ashoka, felt compelled to leave is troubling. That even Ashoka—with its private status and backing by private capital—can no longer provide a space for academic expression and freedom is ominously disturbing. Above all, that the University’s commitment to fight for and sustain the Ashoka vision is now open to question makes it difficult for me to continue being part of Ashoka.
So it is with a sense of deep regret and profound sadness that I am writing to submit my resignation from the University which will take effect from the end of this academic year. I wish you and the University, and especially its gifted and motivated students–who are the heart of Ashoka–success in the future.
Sincerely,
Arvind
The crisis has drawn a sharp reaction from Twitterati. And it remains to be seen how the crisis goes forward from here.
PBM has outlived his utility. His resignation is a welcome step. Ashoka is rich man's JNU.
— Major Ramesh C Upadhyay (@MajorUpadhyay) March 18, 2021
There’s more to this than meets the eye but it ends the claims of AshokaU to be the leading liberal arts university in India. This craven caving in confirms my statement to the LokSabha Tues that Universities are no longer safe spaces for free expression. https://t.co/xNfll0Cl5J
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 18, 2021
PBM has outlived his utility. His resignation is a welcome step. Ashoka is rich man's JNU.
— Major Ramesh C Upadhyay (@MajorUpadhyay) March 18, 2021
We stand with our faculty no matter what. We are here in Ashoka, and supported the experiment that it is because of them. We can't compromise on them. #NotMyAshoka #StandWithPBM #StandwithFaculty #AshokaforAcademicFreedom #AshokaUniversity pic.twitter.com/70e3GwQcD0
— Gaurav Nandan Tripathi (@gauravnandantr1) March 18, 2021
