BOOM

Trending Searches

    SUPPORT
    BOOM

    Trending News

      • Fact Check 
        • Fast Check
        • Politics
        • Business
        • Entertainment
        • Social
        • Sports
        • World
      • Law
      • Explainers
      • News 
        • All News
      • Decode 
        • Impact
        • Scamcheck
        • Life
        • Voices
      • Media Buddhi 
        • Digital Buddhi
        • Senior Citizens
        • Videos
      • Web Stories
      • BOOM Research
      • BOOM Labs
      • Deepfake Tracker
      • Videos 
        • Facts Neeti
      • Home-icon
        Home
      • About Us-icon
        About Us
      • Authors-icon
        Authors
      • Team-icon
        Team
      • Careers-icon
        Careers
      • Internship-icon
        Internship
      • Contact Us-icon
        Contact Us
      • Methodology-icon
        Methodology
      • Correction Policy-icon
        Correction Policy
      • Non-Partnership Policy-icon
        Non-Partnership Policy
      • Cookie Policy-icon
        Cookie Policy
      • Grievance Redressal-icon
        Grievance Redressal
      • Republishing Guidelines-icon
        Republishing Guidelines
      • Fact Check-icon
        Fact Check
        Fast Check
        Politics
        Business
        Entertainment
        Social
        Sports
        World
      • Law-icon
        Law
      • Explainers-icon
        Explainers
      • News-icon
        News
        All News
      • Decode-icon
        Decode
        Impact
        Scamcheck
        Life
        Voices
      • Media Buddhi-icon
        Media Buddhi
        Digital Buddhi
        Senior Citizens
        Videos
      • Web Stories-icon
        Web Stories
      • BOOM Research-icon
        BOOM Research
      • BOOM Labs-icon
        BOOM Labs
      • Deepfake Tracker-icon
        Deepfake Tracker
      • Videos-icon
        Videos
        Facts Neeti
      Trending Tags
      TRENDING
      • #Operation Sindoor
      • #Pahalgam Terror Attack
      • #Narendra Modi
      • #Rahul Gandhi
      • #Waqf Amendment Bill
      • #Arvind Kejriwal
      • #Deepfake
      • #Artificial Intelligence
      • Home
      • Explainers
      • Pratap Bhanu Mehta's Exit Upsets...
      Explainers

      Pratap Bhanu Mehta's Exit Upsets Ashoka University Students & Faculty

      The resignation by the political scientist was followed by the exit of yet another noted professor - Arvind Subramanian.

      By - Archis Chowdhury |
      Published -  18 March 2021 7:06 PM IST
    • Boomlive
      Pratap Bhanu Mehtas Exit Upsets Ashoka University Students & Faculty

      The faculty and student body of the Ashoka University released their respective statements on Thursday to voice solidarity with political scientist and commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta.

      Mehta, a noted scholar, recently resigned from the university with speculations that his critical views on the Narendra Modi-led administration might have drawn pressure internally, leading him to resign.

      "In light of media reports that circulated before the official announcement of Professor Mehta's departure from the university, it seems quite plausible that his resignation was a direct consequence of his role as a public intellectual and critic of the government," read the joint statement by the university faculty.

      Also Read: Ritika Phogat, Wrestlers Geeta And Babita's Sister, Dies By Suicide; No Note Found

      Two days after Mehta's departure, Arvind Subramanian - a noted economist and former Chief Economic Advisor to the Indian government, and also a fellow professor at Ashoka University, resigned in solidarity with Mehta.

      "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," Mehta wrote in his resignation letter.

      Student Body Demands Transparency

      The university's student body – known as the Student Government, also put out a statement in solidarity with the departing professors, and demanded high transparency regarding the whole process.

      The @ashokaunisg, the Alumni Council and members of the Ashoka stand in solidarity with Professor Pratap Bhanu Mehta and the ensuing faculty resignations. Please find the form to show your solidarity.https://t.co/jWhKwCZjhI#NotMyAshoka #AshokaWithPBM #AshokaforAcademicFreedom pic.twitter.com/pNYvxzxQjV

      — Ashoka University Student Government (@ashokaunisg) March 18, 2021

      "We strongly condemn the conditions that led to these resignations and the lack of transparency from the university administration about the same. Professor Mehta and Professor Subramanian are invaluable members of the Ashokan community an we are extremely saddened that they have submitted their resignations under these conditions," the statement read.

      Also Read: SC Sets Aside HC's Tie 'Rakhi' To Accused Order; Issues Guidelines

      Having being informed of the resignations only through media reports, the Student Government also questioned the lack of communication about the resignation from official sources. Finally, the statement demanded the reinstatement of both the professors, and transparency in the process of resignations. It also asked that the resignation written by Mehta be made public, with his consent.

      According to screenshots of emails sent by the Student Government to the entire staff, faculty and all the students, a Town Hall meeting was held at 6 pm on Thursday evening with the Vice-Chancellor Malabika Sarkar.

      The hashtags #notmyashoka and #ashokawithpbm started trending on Twitter, as images of protests by students at the campus started emerging on Twitter. Students were also providing updates on the Town Hall meeting on Thursday evening using these hashtags.

      Students on campus here @AshokaUniv have started gathering to protest against the resignation of @pbmehta and @arvindsubraman@IndianExpress @khanthefatima @KhurafatiChopra @muskanagpal #notmyashoka #ashokawithpbm pic.twitter.com/IUb8CtoqAN

      — Arkoprabho Hazra (@ArkoprabhoH) March 18, 2021

      JUST IN: Townhall with @AshokaUniv VC has started.

      "Pratap wanted the resignation to be immediate"

      "I've asked him to withdraw his resignation"

      "Pratap has said that he doesn't wish to withdraw his resignation"#notmyashoka #ashokawithpbm pic.twitter.com/PK75MBxIRV

      — Arkoprabho Hazra (@ArkoprabhoH) March 18, 2021

      Also Read: Explained: Why Rashmi Samant Was Asked To Resign As Oxford SU President

      Mehta's resignation letter was finally released on Thursday evening, which further confirmed the reasons for his sudden exit. "After a meeting with Founders it has become abundantly clear to me that my association with the University may be considered a political liability," he wrote.

      Education Away From Politics, Or Not

      Ashoka University, a privately funded institute located in Sonipat, Haryana, was established in 2014 with the promise of providing 'world class' education in liberal arts, humanities and sciences.

      As universities and students around the country came under increasing pressure from the Modi administration, Ashoka University poised itself as a safe place for education, away from all the politics.

      The statements by the faculty and student body, along with the emails sent by the student body to the students, faculty and administration reveal the perception among the faculty and students that pressure from the government to silence its critics may now have reached Ashoka University. "Ashoka has always prided itself as distant from the government," a professor at the university told BOOM on condition of anonymity.

      In an opinion piece for The Wire, Delhi University professor and political commentator Apoorvanand writes, "But when they nudge him (Mehta) to resign from the leadership position because he is questioning the claims of those in power, they are compromising the very foundation of their being. They claim to have created a space that will give students resources to think and question. But when the questions become real and start making the academic exercise meaningful, they retreat from their promise,"

      Tags

      Pratap Bhanu MehtaAshoka UniversityArvind SubramanianNarendra ModiHigher educationStudentsProtest
      Read Full Article
      Next Story
      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker. Please reload after ad blocker is disabled.
      X

      Subscribe to BOOM Newsletters

      👉 No spam, no paywall — but verified insights.

      Please enter a Email Address
      Subscribe for free!

      Stay Ahead of Misinformation!

      Please enter a Email Address
      Subscribe Now🛡️ 100% Privacy Protected | No Spam, Just Facts
      By subscribing, you agree with the Terms & conditions and Privacy Policy connected to the offer

      Thank you for subscribing!

      You’re now part of the BOOM community.

      Or, Subscribe to receive latest news via email
      Subscribed Successfully...
      Copy HTMLHTML is copied!
      There's no data to copy!