the government, its fear and a professor

               

The news isn't breaking though but it will going to discussed for days to come. political commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta has resigned from much acclaimed Ashoka university. institution which takes immense pride in calling one self foremost liberal university. Ashoka is product of coming together of various businessmen, entrepreneurs , philanthropist etc etc.

               so why this resignation matters? why so much hue and cry about resignation of a professor? in the letter of resignation Mehta says that founders of university have found his presence  becoming political liability  for institution. so who is this professor whose mere presence is hounding the establishment and what his resignation means?

                 Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a foremost intellectual and so far most articulated minds in political science I came across. his articles in Indian express are so refreshing, though it takes two or sometimes more than two readings to understand his article but they are worthwhile. so what does he writes? Mehta believes that the job of intellectual is to engage with as many population as they can . public awareness in liberal democratic society acts as safety valve against those sitting in the power. in the last couple of years he has scathingly criticized the current dispensation. more than couple of times he did not refrained himself from finding commonality between this government and fascism. he believes that this establishment lacks decency to govern. 

                  I always wonder how does prof. Mehta articulate his whole argument within 900 words every time when he writes in the express. no use of unnecessary words or sentences. I guess it takes lifetime of study and high intellectual caliber. I once had the opportunity to attend his lecture on majoritarianism and whether you agree or not with his opinion but having him as teacher would be one of those rare opportunity which beyond ideological spectrums no one should ever miss.