After two top academics quit the university last week citing free-speech curbs, Ashoka University, Sonepat has now admitted that there have been “lapses in institutional processes”.
After two top academics quit the university last week citing free-speech curbs, Ashoka University, Sonepat has now admitted that there have been “lapses in institutional processes” surrounding the exits. It will “work to rectify” these slips “in consultation with all stakeholders”, the privately-funded liberal arts institution has said. A joint statement from the university’s top functionaries and the two outgoing faculty members, Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Arvind Subramanian, acknowledging their eminence, sought to emphasise that they both continue to believe in Ashoka University being “one of the most important projects in Indian higher education”.
“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,” the statement read.
“They continue to believe strongly that Ashoka University should embody a liberal vision and commitment to academic freedom and autonomy,” it added.
The joint statement was signed by Chancellor Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor Malabika Sarkar, Mr Mehta, Mr Subramanian, and Ashish Dhawan, the Chairman the university’s Board of Trustees.
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a critic of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, quit as Ashoka University Vice-Chancellor in July 2019 but remained a professor. However, on Tuesday, he abruptly resigned from that position, too, saying his “association with the University may be considered a political liability”. Two days later, Mr Subramanian, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s former Chief Economic Advisor, resigned as faculty expressing displeasure over Mr Mehta’s departure.
The full text of the joint statement:
The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ashoka University express deep regret at the recent events surrounding the resignations of Prof. Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Prof. Arvind Subramanian who have been extraordinary colleagues and faculty members at Ashoka University.
The University has been privileged to have been led, guided and counselled by Pratap first as Vice Chancellor and then as senior faculty. He has worked closely with the faculty and founders over the years to take the University into a position of being rightly acknowledged as a great centre of learning, teaching and research.
Arvind brought eminence, stature, fresh ideas and energy to the University. He is one of the premier thinkers about the Indian and the global economy. He leaves a void that will be hard to fill.
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.
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.
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