Academics and public figures have raised concerns about growing threats to academic freedom, free speech, and digital rights in India. Speaking at a conference on “Re-envisioning Higher Education in India” at Loyola College, Zoya Hasan, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), highlighted the increasing restrictions on scholarly discourse and independent research.
Concerns Over Academic Freedom
Hasan stated that India has witnessed an acceleration of threats against academic freedom, online trolling, and harassment, leading to a perceived erosion of free inquiry in the country’s academic institutions. She emphasized that academic freedom allows scholars and teachers to engage in critical inquiry without fear of censorship or interference, which is essential for the advancement of knowledge.
“The direction higher education in India is taking represents the convergence of neo-liberal and Hindutva ideologies,” Hasan remarked, criticizing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to her, contrary to its claims, the NEP will further restrict access to education, benefiting only the socially and economically privileged elite.
Political Voices on Inclusive Education
Several political figures also addressed concerns about inclusivity in education. MP Mahua Moitra pointed out that India is yet to allocate a sufficient share of its GDP toward education, making inclusive education an unfulfilled promise.
Meanwhile, MP Derek O’Brien acknowledged the significant role of the Christian community in education, stating that Christian minorities run over 54,000 educational institutions across India. He noted that for every 100 students studying in these institutions, at least 75 belong to the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh communities.
Ongoing Debates on Educational Reforms
The discussion on academic freedom and education policies continues as scholars and policymakers debate the impacts of NEP 2020 and government regulations on higher education. Critics argue that addressing these concerns is essential to ensure free intellectual discourse and equal access to education in India.
