New semester on schedule, ‘extensive discussions’ on academic freedom: Ashoka Univ V-C to students

Following this, the Economics Department, in an open letter, had said that the Ashoka University Governing Body’s “interference” in the process to “investigate the merits” of Das’s study was likely to “precipitate an exodus of faculty”.

Reassuring students, Raychurdhury said on Sunday, “The monsoon semester is set to proceed as per schedule and the Economics department has reaffirmed its commitment to holding classes, a sentiment echoed by almost all other departments I have heard from over the last couple of days.”

While the university is currently welcoming a new cohort of undergraduate students, Raychaudhury wrote, “I look forward to support from all of you in ensuring that they (new students) feel welcomed, as they engage with both academic work and the vibrant student life of the University… I remain open to further dialogue and discussion with any of you at all times, and look forward to working with you over the coming weeks to discuss building a stronger Ashoka University.”

Das’s research paper documents irregular patterns in the 2019 general election in India and identifies whether they are due to electoral manipulation or precise control, i.e., the incumbent party’s ability to precisely predict and affect win margins through campaigning. “Manipulation appears to take the form of targeted electoral discrimination against India’s largest minority group – Muslims, partly facilitated by weak monitoring by election observers. The results present a worrying development for the future of democracy,” it stated.

Confirming Das’s resignation Monday, the university had in a statement said: “After making extensive efforts to dissuade him, the university has accepted his resignation… Dr Das’s paper on Indian elections was the subject of widespread controversy after being shared recently on social media, where it was perceived by many to reflect the views of the university… The university does not direct or moderate the research conducted by its faculty and students. This academic freedom also applied to Dr Das.”

Prior to this, the varsity, in a post online, had distanced itself from the paper and stated that social media activity or public activism by Ashoka faculty, students or staff in their “individual capacity” does not reflect the stand of the university.

The Economics department had also given the Governing Body until August 23 to accept two demands: offer Das his position at the university “unconditionally” and that the Governing Body plays no role in “evaluating faculty research through any Committee or other structure”. “Failure to do so will systematically wreck the largest academic department at Ashoka and the very viability of the Ashoka vision,” it added in its letter.