Guha has been critical of the current dispensation and some academics suspect political pressure on universities board could be a factor behind this development.
Barely 15 days after announcing that he would be joining the Ahmedabad University, noted historian and author Ramachandra Guha announced on Thursday that he would not be joining the varsity “due to circumstances beyond my control”. The development has come as a shock for many in the academic circles, with at least one person describing it as a “sad reflection on Gujarat’s academia”.
Guha has been critical of the current dispensation and some academics suspect political pressure on universities board could be a factor behind this development. Guha was to join the university as Shrenik Lalbhai Chair Professor of Humanities and Director of the Gandhi Winter School at AU’s School of Arts and Sciences.
Guha’s social media post stated: ‘Due to circumstances beyond my control, I shall not be joining Ahmedabad University. I wish AU well; it has fine faculty and an outstanding Vice Chancellor. And may the spirit of Gandhi one day come alive once more in his native Gujarat’.
DNA’s attempt to reach out to Ahmedabad University vice-chancellor Pankaj Chandra and University board chairman Sanjay Lalbhai went unanswered.
On October 16, DNA had reported how the university is on the major recruitment spree with an aim to create a rich pool of academicians. A few months ago, it had roped in the country’s leading economist, C Rangarajan.
Chandra had then said, “Guha will help imagine a curriculum that lies at the intersection of history and other streams in Humanities. With the interest in liberal education gaining impetus in India, Dr Guha will bring his interpretation of history including environmental, political, contemporary and even cricket history to develop interesting and powerful programmes and research that stand at the confluence of various disciplines. Equally important, his presence will help the university build our own dialogue around Gandhi.”
Possible Reason
Guha has been critical of the current dispensation and some academics suspect political pressure on universities board could be a factor behind this development.
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 "Ramachandra Guha")
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