"Political Liability": Academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta On Quitting University

A prominent critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, Pratap Bhanu Mehta said his public writings were "perceived to carry risks for the university".

Academic and political commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta whose resignation from Ashoka University this week reignited a discussion on the consequences of criticising the BJP-led government at the centre had written in his letter to the university authorities about the "risks" of his writings. "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 dated Monday, March 15. "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," he said. Dr Mehta, 54, considered one of the country's top scholars on politics and political theory, constitutional law, governance and political economy, had stepped down as the university's vice-chancellor two years ago.