AgenciesSanjeev Bikhchandani, a trustee and co-founder of Ashoka University, has shared his views on activism and freedom of speech within the university, following the arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. Bikhchandani's email to a former student, which was shared on an internal mailing list, addressed the university's silence after the arrest and the role of political activism in academic spaces, a TOI report stated.As per a TOI report, Bikhchandani revealed that he and fellow trustees Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashish Dhawan had considered stepping down from their roles. He stated, “Pramath, Ashish and I have seriously discussed the option of walking away. Ashoka is too much of a headache... money, even in this day and age, does not grow on trees but it still makes the world go around.” He even suggested that alumni could take over.
Bikhchandani emphasised that activism is not essential to a liberal arts university. “Activism and a Liberal Arts University are not joined at the hip. Ashoka is a Liberal Arts and Sciences University. Whether to be activists or not is a conscious choice people make,” he wrote. He further added, “You can be a great liberal arts university and not be activist. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.”
Addressing the issue of social media posts, Bikhchandani clarified his stance on academic freedom. Without naming Mahmudabad, he wrote, “A political opinion expressed on Facebook or Twitter (X) or Instagram is not academic scholarship. Consequently, any public outcry about a political opinion an academic may express on social media is not an attack on academic freedom.”
Bikhchandani argued that individuals are responsible for their own actions on social media. “You are a grown-up adult. You are responsible for your actions and any consequences thereof. Ashoka is not obliged to support you for political opinions... You did not seek Ashoka's consent before posting on social media, you cannot now present Ashoka with a fait accompli and expect support.”Bikhchandani suggested the need for a university policy on the political involvement of faculty, raising the question of whether academics should also pursue political careers.In closing, Bikhchandani stressed the importance of responsible communication and institutional discipline. “Appropriate timing of what to say, where, when and to whom and how is a sign of intelligence (beyond academic scholarship),” he said. He also added, “Hijacking an institutional platform to make it subordinate to your political agenda is an act of institutional capture and selfishness. Expecting the institution to then support you is an act of entitlement and arrogance.”
Bikhchandani emphasised that activism is not essential to a liberal arts university. “Activism and a Liberal Arts University are not joined at the hip. Ashoka is a Liberal Arts and Sciences University. Whether to be activists or not is a conscious choice people make,” he wrote. He further added, “You can be a great liberal arts university and not be activist. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.”
Addressing the issue of social media posts, Bikhchandani clarified his stance on academic freedom. Without naming Mahmudabad, he wrote, “A political opinion expressed on Facebook or Twitter (X) or Instagram is not academic scholarship. Consequently, any public outcry about a political opinion an academic may express on social media is not an attack on academic freedom.”
He also stated, “If a regulator or the government or law enforcement goes after you for a social media post, it is not an infringement of academic freedom. It might be an infringement of freedom of speech; however, there are provisions within the Constitution and the law where you can find protection.”
Bikhchandani argued that individuals are responsible for their own actions on social media. “You are a grown-up adult. You are responsible for your actions and any consequences thereof. Ashoka is not obliged to support you for political opinions... You did not seek Ashoka's consent before posting on social media, you cannot now present Ashoka with a fait accompli and expect support.”Bikhchandani suggested the need for a university policy on the political involvement of faculty, raising the question of whether academics should also pursue political careers.In closing, Bikhchandani stressed the importance of responsible communication and institutional discipline. “Appropriate timing of what to say, where, when and to whom and how is a sign of intelligence (beyond academic scholarship),” he said. He also added, “Hijacking an institutional platform to make it subordinate to your political agenda is an act of institutional capture and selfishness. Expecting the institution to then support you is an act of entitlement and arrogance.”
