‘People must resist imposition of one thought’: Chidambaram on resignation of Ashoka University professors

“What does it say of academic freedom in this country if two distinguished economists have to resign as Professors of Ashoka University,” he tweeted. He added, “The people of India must rise to fiercely resist the attempt to impose one thought all over the country. BJP Thought or Modi Thought will wreck the country and turn India into an autocracy.”

What does it say of academic freedom in this country if two distinguished economists have to resign as Professors of Ashoka University?

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 19, 2021

Faculty members, students and alumni of the Ashoka University in Sonipat have expressed anguish over noted political commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s resignation as a professor, saying his exit seems to be a direct consequence of his role as a public intellectual and critic of the government.

The faculty members have written to the vice chancellor (VC) and board members, saying Mehta’s exit has set a “chilling precedent for future removals of faculty”.

Eminent economist Arvind Subramanian also resigned as a professor of the university on Thursday.