Ashok University acknowledges ‘lack of institutional processes’

Top officials of Ashoka University said in a joint statement with professors Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Arvind Subramanian on Sunday that they regretted the events surrounding the resignation of both and that there was “some deficiency in institutional procedures”.

Chancellor Rudranshu Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor Malabika Sarkar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ashish Dhawan, Proc. Mehta and Prof. The statement by Subramanian said: “We acknowledge that there are some flaws in the institutional processes, which we will work to improve in consultation with all stakeholders. This will reaffirm our commitment to academic autonomy and independence which has always been at the core of Ashoka University’s ideals. “

The statement stated that Prof. Mehta and Prof. Subramanian “is sad to leave Ashoka” and maintains that the university “embodies a liberal approach and commitment to academic freedom and autonomy”. The statement said that both would remain well wishers of the university and would be available for advice and counseling in future.

Pro. Mehta told the students of Ashoka University that he would not withdraw his resignation after the joint statement came, because “due to the underlying circumstances [it] Will not change for the foreseeable future. “

In a letter to his students in the early hours of Sunday, Prof Mehta insisted that his time with Ashoka was a closed chapter. “[It] Not an easy decision. But this, to me, is the only honorable thing to conform to my values; Value I think you share. I believe it is in the best interest of the university, ”he wrote. He said, “The circumstances that led to the resignation will not change at any rate, for my future, for the changing future.”

He resigned earlier this week after a meeting with the university’s founders, making it clear that his association with the institution could be considered a “political obligation”. Pro. Subramanian, fellow professor and former chief economic adviser, resigned in solidarity two days later, stating that the university “can no longer provide space for academic expression and freedom.”

On Saturday, the student union announced a two-day boycott of classes from Monday, with the university prof. Demanding Mehta the job with public acceptance of the pressure behind his resignation. In his letter, Proc. Mehta urges them not to pressurize him on the matter because “your mission is greater than the fate of two professors”. Recalling his previous resignation as Vice Chancellor of Ashoka two years ago, he said that he “did not want to tempt fate again”.

He praised the students’ protest, noting that “it was about Ashoka’s institutional integrity.” But it was also about the dark and ominous shadows that hovered over India’s democracy. He urged the students to work with the trustees and teachers to “secure the institutional autonomy and independence Ashoka needs”.

Stating that “the specter of totalitarianism is also hovering over us, it often puts us in an often uncomfortable and sometimes abusive situation”, he said that this would not be enough to calm the horrifying darkness, and that Confided that your students will shine a light instead.

Remembering the texts of Philosophy and Political Science he had taught them through the year, Proc. Mehta said, “But what you’ve taught us is worth something more: a liberal value is more about a character than they are about accepting a cult.”