New Delhi: Professor Pratap Bhanu Mehta in his resignation letter told Ashoka University Vice-Chancellor Malabika Sarkar that he is quitting because his association with the university maybe “considered a political liability”.
He said after a discussion with the founders, it was clear to him that he should resign. “After a meeting with Founders it has become abundantly clear to me that my association with the University may be considered a political liability,” he wrote in his letter.
“My public writing in support of a politics that tries to honour constitutional values of freedom and equal respect for all citizens, is perceived to carry risks for the university. In the interests of the university I resign,” Mehta said in his letter, which was accessed by ThePrint.
In an email sent to his students Wednesday night, Mehta had said he is resigning because of “prevailing circumstances”, but he refused to elaborate those.
Here is the full text of the letter:
Prof. Malabika Sarkar,
Vice- Chancellor, Ashoka University.
Sonepat.
Dear Prof Sarkar,
I write to tender my resignation from Ashoka University as University Professor. After
a meeting with Founders it has become abundantly clear to me that my association
with the University may be considered a political liability. My public writing in support
of a politics that tries to honour constitutional values of freedom and equal respect for
all citizens, is perceived to carry risks for the university. In the interests of the
University I resign. I would request that the resignation take immediate effect. I am
teaching one class, and would not like to leave the students stranded. But I think the
university can find a solution. I can informally finish out the rest of the classes, if no
other solution is found.
It has been a great privilege to get to know the students and several wonderful
colleagues at Ashoka. I hope that the institution continues to thrive. I thank you and
the Chancellor for your personal kindness over the years of my association with
Ashoka.
It is clear it is time for me to leave Ashoka. A liberal university will need a liberal
political and social context to flourish. I hope the university will play a role in securing
that environment. Nietzsche once said that “no living for truth is possible in a
university.” I hope that prophecy does not come true. But in light of the prevailing
atmosphere, the Founders and the Administration will require renewed commitment
to the values of Ashoka, and new courage to secure Ashoka’s freedom.
My only request is that the administration cooperate in making all the transition
formalities as painless as possible. If any arrangements can take due consideration of
my driver, Gajendra Sahu, I will be most grateful. He moved jobs with me and should
not be penalised. If some interim help can be granted to him, while I make alternative
arrangements to transfer him to an appropriate payroll, I shall be obliged.
I will forever remain a supporter of the values Ashoka is meant to embody. Please
convey my deepest gratitude to all of Ashoka’s faculty, students and staff. They have
all been unfailingly professional, supportive and generous.
I will have a hard copy with my signature sent to you as well. But this mail be treated
as my resignation.
With warmest personal regards,
Pratap Bhanu Mehta
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