What South Asian University’s undertaking for students say about the pitiful state of academic freedom in India
Firasha Shaikh | 31 July 2023 | Indian Express
On July 28, as reported in The Indian Express, an undertaking form issued by South Asian University to its students attracted criticism. The words of the undertaking are quite telling. Among the list of provisions, the form requires students to promise that they will not join any protest, agitation, or strike “for the purpose of forcing the authorities of the University to solve any problem”.
The administration is trying to effectively nip in the bud avenues for accountability by preemptively banning protests. This is the antithesis of the idea of academic freedom. This measure is especially concerning since students protested with a demand to increase the stipend amount for masters’ and PhD programmes among other things. Reportedly, the amount was decreased, given the financial troubles the administration was facing. Students should not have to pay the price for mismanagement on the part of authorities.