NEW DELHI: Ashoka University broke its silence on Sunday to “express deep regret at the recent events surrounding the resignations of Prof Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Prof Arvind Subramanian” and to “acknowledge there have been some lapses in institutional processes, which we will 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,” said a statement issued jointly by Chancellor Rudrangshu Mukherjee, vice-chancellor Malabika Sarkar, chairman of board of trustees Ashish Dhawan, and, interestingly, Mehta and Subramanian.
The concluding line in the statement that Mehta and Subramanian “will remain available for advice and consultation to the university in the future” was a signal that neither Mehta nor Subramanian will be returning to the faculty positions they’ve quit.
The last one week has been tumultuous for Ashoka, which opened its doors in 2014 as India’s first liberal arts university with private capital. First Mehta resigned and in a letter to the vice-chancellor, said, “After a meeting with the 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 politics that tries to honour constitutional values of freedom and equal respect for all citizens is perceived to carry risks for the university…It is clear it is time for me to leave Ashoka.”
Days later, Arvind Subramanian, who was chief economic adviser in the first Modi government, followed suit saying, “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.”
The Ashoka statement said Mehta and Subramanian “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.”
In a separate letter to students, faculty, alumni, parents and founders, Mukherjee said, “Ashoka University’s commitment to core values and our founders and trustees’ role are being questioned…I want to respond to this.” “Today when the founders are being attacked for trying to compromise and curtail academic autonomy and freedom of expression, I find it necessary…to state unambiguously that the founders have never interfered with academic freedom: faculty members have been left free to construct their own courses and follow their own methods of teaching and their own methods of assessment. They have also been left free to carry out their own research and publications,” Mukherjee said.