Saloni Pradhan examines the growing threats to academic freedom in India. From controversial curriculum changes to pressure on scholars, the government is eroding intellectual autonomy. The implications for India's democracy — and the country's future as a knowledge society — are significant
South Asian University (SAU), an international institution overseen by SAARC nations and based in New Delhi, recently became embroiled in controversy when it issued warning notices to a PhD scholar and their Sri Lankan supervisor, Professor Sasanka Perera. The scholar's research proposal cited an interview with renowned linguist Noam Chomsky, in which he criticised current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. The SAU took disciplinary action because they deemed Chomsky's remarks contentious. In protest, Perera resigned from SAU.
This incident highlights a disturbing — and increasing — trend, in which the state pressures academic institutions to conform to political narratives, rather than protecting them as spaces of free inquiry. The recent incident at SAU is representative of a much bigger problem — the erosion of academic freedom across India. Across the country, scholars are being censured, their research scrutinised, and their freedom to critique power structures curtailed.
At the heart of this crisis lies the current government's push to 'rationalise' education. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has implemented significant changes to school and university curricula. Ostensibly, the party has made these changes to reduce student workload and promote an India-centric narrative. BJP critics, however, argue that these changes are ideologically driven, promoting a Hindu-centric vision of India's history while marginalising other communities and perspectives.
As part of this rationalisation process, textbooks have been altered dramatically, with significant portions of history reduced and rewritten. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has modified or removed references to contentious events such as the 2002 Gujarat riots and the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid Mosque. NCERT chief Dinesh Prasad Saklani defended these changes, claiming that teaching about riots 'can create violent and depressed citizens'. But these changes don't just sanitise history; they rob students of the opportunity to grapple with the complexities of India's rich and diverse heritage.
By presenting a narrow, sanitised version of India's history, the government is effectively shaping the worldview of an entire generation
The implications of this 'rationalisation' extend far beyond the classroom. By presenting a narrow, sanitised version of history, the government is effectively shaping the worldview of an entire generation. This selective approach to education not only undermines academic integrity — it also sows the seeds of division and intolerance in Indian society.
Assaults on academic freedom extend far beyond textbook revisions. Scholars who dare to challenge government narratives or explore sensitive topics face a barrage of threats. From harassment and intimidation to outright dismissal, the message is clear: conform or face the consequences. This climate of fear has led to widespread self-censorship, stifling the vibrant debates that once characterised Indian academia.
Indeed, the SAU controversy is just one example of how India’s academic institutions are becoming battlegrounds for ideological control. According to the 2023 Academic Freedom Index, India ranks 161 out of 179 countries, reflecting the significant decline in academic freedom. Self-censorship has become a growing concern, as scholars fear repercussions for challenging dominant narratives.
Compounding these ideological pressures is a chronic underinvestment in education. Public spending on education remains woefully inadequate, hovering around 3% of GDP. This financial stranglehold leads not only to crumbling infrastructure and inadequate resources, it also makes institutions more vulnerable to political pressure as they compete to secure funds.
The funding crunch has far-reaching consequences. It hampers the ability of institutions to attract and retain quality faculty, to maintain research facilities, and to provide scholarships to deserving students. This not only affects the quality of education but also widens the gap between elite private institutions and public universities, exacerbating existing inequalities in access to higher education.
A chronic underinvestment in education in India exacerbates existing inequalities in access to higher education
The constraints on academic freedom extend beyond university walls. Civil society organisations, think tanks, and independent research bodies face a barrage of obstacles. From foreign funding bans to intrusive audits, the state is systematically silencing these groups, particularly when they engage with issues of human rights or minority concerns.
Furthermore, the amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act in 2020 has been particularly damaging. By tightening regulations on foreign funding for NGOs, the government has effectively crippled many organisations working in critical areas such as education, human rights, and environmental protection. This move limits the resources available for important research and advocacy work.
Even the basic infrastructure of education is crumbling. Mismanagement and irregularities have plagued national examinations, crucial for academic progression. The National Testing Agency faces widespread criticism for its lack of transparency and frequent technical failures.
The recent controversies surrounding the National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance-Test and the Joint Entrance Examination are prime examples. Reports of question paper leaks, technical glitches, and last-minute changes to exam centres have caused immense distress to students. They have also raised fundamental questions about the integrity of the examination process. These examination fiascos are symptomatic of a larger problem: the increasing bureaucratisation of education.
Why is the BJP so intent on gaining control of India's academic institutions? The answer lies in the party's broader ideological agenda. The BJP sees control over education as crucial to shaping the mindset of India's future generations.
Historically, universities have been hotbeds of dissent and social movements in India. From the independence struggle to the anti-Emergency movement, students and academics have played pivotal roles in shaping the country's political landscape. Therefore, by stifling academic freedom, the BJP neutralises this potential source of opposition to its policies.
By stifling academic freedom, the BJP neutralises potential sources of opposition to its policies
Moreover, the party's vision of India as a Hindu nation necessitates a rewriting of history and a reshaping of academic discourse. By controlling what universities teach and research, the BJP hopes to legitimise its narrow, exclusionary vision of Indian identity and culture.
India stands at a crossroads. It can continue down this path of intellectual suppression, risking its position as a global leader and its future as a democracy. Or it can choose to reinvigorate its academic institutions, embracing the diversity of thought that has long been its strength. History shows us that turning points can emerge unexpectedly. The BJP should remember that its own origins lie in student movements against authoritarianism.
The erosion of academic freedom is not just an assault on education. It erodes the very essence of India's pluralistic, diverse, and democratic ethos.
⛓️ No.12 in a Loop series examining constraints on academic freedom in a variety of global contexts
