Dangerous Attack on Educational Freedom: Raghuram Rajan's Statement on Resignation of Two Famous People from Ashoka University

New delhi date. Saturday 20 March 2021

Two prominent intellectuals, Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Arvind Subramaniam, have resigned from Ashoka University, which has drawn frustration from academics around the world over the past few days and sparked a collective spark over the contraction of freedom of expression in the institution. From former Reserve Bank governor and renowned economist Raghuram Rajan to Milan Vaishnav and Martha C. Nussboom, they have called it a dangerous attack on academic freedom. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said that freedom of expression is the soul of any great university and if it is attacked, it is like hurting its soul.

Raghuram Rajan, an economist and professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, said in a LinkedIn post that who inspired Ashoka's founders to stop protecting loud voices. The founders of Shu Ashoka have thrown up their arms against external pressure to get rid of the annoyed critics.

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and an ardent orator, resigned as Chancellor of Ashoka University in July 2019, but continued his service as a professor. Which he abruptly left after resigning on Tuesday.

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, 54, wrote in his letter to Chancellor Malabika Sarkar that after a meeting with the founders, it had become clear enough for me that my association with the university could be considered a political obligation. My public writing in support of the constitutional values ​​of freedom and politics seeking equal respect for all citizens can be dangerous for the university. So I resign in the interest of the university.

Well-known economist Arvind Subramaniam has also resigned as a professor at Ashoka University just two days after political critic Pratap Bhanu Mehta left the institute.

Arvind Subramaniam wrote in his resignation, a man of such prestige and erudition who made Ashoka's idea a reality. The resignation is troubling. Ashoka is now giving academic expression and freedom despite personal status and personal capital which is worrisome. All in all, the university's commitment to fight for Ashoka's vision is now in question and it has become difficult for me to stay connected as part of Ashoka.