Ashoka University row: 320 economists extend support to Prof Das, demand his reinstatement

Haryana: Days after Assistant Professor Sabyasachi Das resigned from Ashoka University, following a controversy over his research paper ‘Democratic Backsliding in the World’s Largest Democracy’, over 320 economists from 91 institutions across the country extended their support to him, urging the varsity to immediately reinstate him.

“We, economists working in India, strongly believe that academic freedom is the cornerstone of a vibrant educational and research community and that everyone must have the right to pursue knowledge, share their findings, and engage in open dialogue without the fear of censorship or retribution,” the economists said in a statement.

The controversy erupted following the publication of Sabyasachi’s research paper on the Social Science Research Network on July 25.

In his research paper, Sabyasachi's analysis of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections proposed that the BJP secured an unusually high number of seats in closely contested constituencies. He suggested that this could indicate electoral fraud or an exceptional ability to predict closely contested seats and mobilise campaign efforts.

Earlier, several departments of the Sonepat-based private university had also demanded that Prof Das and Prof Pulapre Balakrishnan be offered their positions back unconditionally by the varsity.

The university confirmed his resignation on Monday, and said in a statement, “Dr Das’s paper on Indian elections was the subject of widespread controversy after being shared recently on social media, where it was perceived by many to reflect the views of the university. The university does not direct or moderate the research conducted by its faculty and students. This academic freedom also applied to Dr Das.”

Soon after this, a second faculty in the Economics Department of Ashoka University, Professor Pulapre Balakrishnan also resigned in protest over the acceptance of the resignation of the former.

With inputs from agencies