Author of Paper on Possible ‘Manipulation’ in 2019 Polls Quits Ashoka University; Challenges to Academic Freedom, The Clash between Freedom of Inquiry and Institutional Pressures

The author of a paper addressing potential manipulation during the 2019 elections has resigned from Ashoka University following criticism from BJP leaders and the university’s distancing from the study.

This move has led to allegations of ‘democratic backsliding in academia’; Sabyasachi Das, an assistant professor of economics at the university in Sonepat, Haryana, penned a scholarly paper about the 2019 election results, which ignited a political controversy. Two faculty members have verified his resignation, but the university has yet to issue an official statement.

Academic Freedom, Freedom To Question And Politics
What is perturbing and sad in this case is that the research paper only
examined the likelihood of electoral ‘manipulation’ during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in which the incumbent BJP secured a more substantial margin of victory than in 2014.
Despite his study’s focus on only 11 constituencies, it garnered extensive commentary on social media and faced critique from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

On August 1, Ashoka University distanced itself from Das’s paper, expressing concern about the speculation and debate surrounding it. When questioned about his resignation, Das refrained from responding directly and emphasised his focus on publishing his paper.

A faculty member commented on the situation, suggesting that Das might have felt compelled to resign due to the circumstances, while another faculty member noted that significant discussions transpired behind closed doors before Das submitted his resignation.

However, another faculty member revealed ongoing efforts to retain Das within the university. The student-run paper, The Edict, highlighted similarities between Das’s resignation and the departure of ex-Vice Chancellor Pratap Bhanu Mehta two years ago, implying that the university’s administration is under scrutiny for not adequately supporting faculty members’ independent work.

Ashwini Deshpande, the head of Ashoka University’s Economics Department, seemingly confirmed Das’s departure through a tweet.

Support
In response to Das’s resignation, Jayati Ghosh, a professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, expressed disappointment in the lack of solidarity displayed by senior economics faculty members at Ashoka. Ghosh emphasised the significance of protecting academic freedom for young scholars, noting that failing to do so can worsen the situation.

Political Backsliding
Ashoka University’s response to Das’s research has raised concerns about academic freedom in India; at the same time, the university’s statement distancing itself from the research and questioning its quality also drew criticism.

This has led to comparisons with the handling of Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s resignation in 2021 due to his critical writings about the ruling BJP.
Critics have deemed Ashoka University’s comment on Das’s paper an example of ‘democratic backsliding in academia’.
The BJP also criticised Das’s research as ‘half-baked’ and raised questions about the evidence presented in his paper.

What Is The Topic
Das’s research analysed irregularities in the 2019 elections and examined whether they resulted from manipulation or precise control. The study suggested targeted electoral discrimination against the Muslim minority group, potentially facilitated by weak election observer monitoring.

The student newspaper, The Edict, highlighted the ongoing debate while noting the absence of an official statement from the Economics department regarding Das’s conclusions.
Das’s CV on the Ashoka University website details his academic background, including a PhD in Economics from Yale University and research interests spanning political economy, public economics, and applied microeconomics.

His work delves into group inequalities arising from democratic processes, such as gender and caste dynamics in Indian village elections, governance consequences of state-local government alignment, and the impact of electoral systems on minority representation in governments across different countries.

The View Point
The entire matter invloving Sabyasachi Das and Ashoka University are red flags to where we may be headed as a democracy, if the result of freedom of intellectual inquiry and academia in the present can lead to such stiff challenges form political parties and resignation then we seriously need to ponder on this issue.

Das’s decision to resign in the wake of his research paper on possible electoral manipulation during the 2019 polls being attacked and disowned by both BJP leaders and the university administration is an example of the growing constraints on open discussion and critical analysis within academic circles.

Throughout history, academic institutions have been strongholds of free thought and rigorous inquiry and they have provided a space for scholars to delve into contentious topics, challenge conventional wisdom, and raise thought-provoking questions.

However, the incident at Ashoka University mirrors the erosion of these essential principles. The resignation of a scholar due to the perceived political backlash against their research sets not only a worrying precedent, but also stifling the freedom of academics to question, probe, and present their findings, even if those findings challenge the status quo.

When academic research is met with political opposition and the institutions meant to foster open dialogue distance themselves from such work, it not only restricts the personal and professional growth of the scholar involved but also has a chilling effect on others within the academic community.

Self-censorship among researchers and educators comes in to play when fear of personal, professional, or ideological repercussions are targeted. This self-censorship can, in turn, deprive a society of valuable insights, innovative ideas, and critical perspectives that are vital for progress and the advancement of knowledge.

Moreover, the incident at Ashoka University raises broader concerns about the state of academic freedom and the ability of scholars to engage in independent research without fear of backlash in this country.

A healthy academic environment is crucial as it allows scholars to explore ideas without the looming threat of retribution. Suppressing critical inquiry and academic dissent diminishes the richness of intellectual discourse and stifles the growth of knowledge, is this the way we want to be headed?

The consequences of this development extend beyond the university campus because a society that discourages open discussion and challenging established narratives risks becoming intellectually stagnant.

As citizens of this country a robust debate, even on contentious topics, is crucial for a healthy democracy, as it allows citizens to make informed decisions and hold those in power accountable. And with the curtailment of academic freedom, it can undermine these democratic ideals by limiting the variety of perspectives and insights contributing to a well-rounded public discourse.

The Last Bit, the resignation of Sabyasachi Das and the circumstances leading up to it show the reality of today in which the fragility of academic freedom and the challenges faced by scholars who seek to engage in independent research and critical inquiry are being targeted.

Institutions need to reaffirm their commitment to academic freedom, protect the rights of scholars to question and explore ideas and uphold the principles that have long been the bedrock of intellectual progress or we may stagnate as a society and indeed be on the road toward ‘one leader one policy’.