Solidarity statement with Sabyasachi Das and the faculty of Ashoka University by the international academic community
We, the undersigned members of the academic fraternity, strongly condemn the forced ‘resignation’ of Sabyasachi Das, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics, Ashoka University. Das’s paper ‘Democratic Backsliding in the World’s Largest Democracy’ which analysed the probability of electoral manipulation by the BJP in the 2019 elections came under significant flak from the party. The University issued a statement dissociating itself from the research. Following this, from what has emerged in the public domain, the Governing Body decided to ‘evaluate’ the ‘merit’ of his paper. Dr Das subsequently resigned. It is clear from this sequence of events that what was at stake was not the academic merit of his paper, but the threat it posed to the ruling party. There has been no detailed academic counter to this paper, only ad hominem attacks in the public.
Professor Pulapre Balakrishnan of the Economics department subsequently resigned from Ashoka University in solidarity, student organisations have issued strong statements in support of Dr Das, the Economics department, followed by several other departments have also strongly criticized the university’s actions, and asked for the reinstatement of Dr Das, failing which they will be unable to carry on their teaching obligations. Over 80 faculty members have signed a separate statement asking for a charter on academic freedom created in 2021 to be implemented, including a committee on academic freedom.
By backsliding on Dr Das’s academic freedom because the topic he chose to study was inconvenient to one political party, the university violates several principles of academic freedom. This episode also shows that private universities do not, despite all their claims to the contrary, serve as bulwarks of liberal thought. The fact of the matter is that the government is applying equal pressure on both private and public universities /institutions. Ashoka, by caving in to the pressure is falling short of its own declared vision.
We welcome the strong resistance by members of Ashoka University’s student body, faculty and alumni and joins them in asking for the immediate reinstatement of Dr Das and concrete steps to ensure academic freedom in Ashoka University. We hope that the Ashoka University imbroglio shall form the basis of a wide ranging discussion, encompassing both private and public institutions, about the necessity of a charter that protects academic freedom in India.
