By Maitri Porecha

Copyright thehindu

How does Ashoka University balance between the current poor political climate and giving freedom of speech to students. This, especially in the light of the current U.S. Government’s moves to quell protests in America. And then there are domestic challenges on campus.

We are focussed on high-quality education and of course you have the freedom to say whatever you want. I can’t control that. If you have high-quality people, they will say what they want. The rest, you have to deal with the outside environment. Some things, the outside environment will let go. Some things, it will not and people should be aware of that. We like to explain to people that this is being allowed or is acceptable and what is not being allowed. Please be aware of that and that what you say, then reflects on the University. We say that to our founders, faculty members, staff, students, everyone.

I have seen many different eras in my own life. I was born in the 1960s. I saw the emergency. I saw the Janta government and I saw political upheavals in Bihar where I grew up. I think the environment will come and go; we have to focus on what we are here for. We are here for providing a high-quality education in the classroom.

All universities should have freedom of speech. But it comes at the cost of something. You maintain that balance by staying focussed on what you are supposed to do and not getting involved in other controversies.