Support grows for Ashoka University economics professor who resigned; 3 more departments issue statements

This comes after the Economics Department said in an open letter on Wednesday that Ashoka University’s governing body’s “interference” in the process to “investigate the merits” of Das’s study was likely to “precipitate an exodus of faculty”.

The letter issued by the Political Science Department on Thursday reiterated two demands: “Unconditionally offer Prof Sabyasachi Das his position at Ashoka…affirm that the governing body will play no role in evaluating faculty research through any committee or any structure”.

“We believe that Prof Das did not violate any accepted norm of academic practice. We strongly condemn the actions of the governing body… Like our colleagues, we too will be unable to carry forward our teaching obligations, in the spirit of critical enquiry and the fearless pursuit of truth that characterize our classrooms, unless these demands are met,” the letter further said.

The departments of Sociology and Anthropology of Ashoka University also issued statements Thursday morning, saying “Over the past few days, we have come to know that Professor Das was subjected to unusual and disturbing interference in his academic work… we hope that the governing body will extend an unconditional apology to Prof Das and to the faculty. In doing so, we expect them to reaffirm fidelity to the university’s policy on academic freedom and to the ideals on which Ashoka was founded.”

The faculty members of Ashoka University have urged the governing body to address these issues no later than August 23.

Das, an assistant professor in the department, resigned last week. The university confirmed his resignation on Monday, and said in a statement, “ 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.”