BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua has accused former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian of instigating Ashoka University students to launch a rebellion against the authorities after he put in his papers in protest against Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s resignation. Mehta’s resignation as Professor led to a huge controversy at the Ashoka University.
In a tweet accompanied by a video, Naukha stated: “Here is @arvindsubraman instigating a student rebellion in @AshokaUniv. Think about what kind of a teacher or academic such a person is who concentrates his time in instigating rebellion rather than doing anything purposeful.” Subramanian has been a critic of the Modi Government.
In the video, Subramanian is heard telling students: “You know how to do these things. You have done them very well in the past few days. Keep it up”.
Subramanian tells students that the Board of Ashoka University is “too narrow” with only the funders in it. He adds that there is some reflection to be done by students if the board should be more diversified and well represented with maybe even students and acclaimed persons from other walks of life.
The Ashoka University Students Government charged the Founders, Chancellor and Vice Chancellor with failure in protecting the University faculty from external pressures.
In reference to the resignation of Pratap Bhanu Mehta, the students said in a letter that the events point to a failure of Founders, Chancellor and Vice Chancellor in protecting the faculty.
They said this also has implications for freedom of speech for the students and faculty. This is not the first time that faculty came under attack for opinions and course content and students are worried what is the support they will get in future or will they have to self-censure and what this means for the quality of education.
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