A petition signed by over 1,800 scholars, artists, journalists and filmmakers from across the globe has appealed to Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar to “stop victimisation” of Nivedita Menon, Professor at the Centre for Comparative Politics and Political Theory, School of International Studies, JNU.
A copy of the petition has also been sent to President Ram Nath Kovind and the JNU Chancellor, by Judith Butler from the University of California, Berkeley, and Partha Chatterjee from Columbia University in New York — the two professors who initiated the petition.
‘Deeply concerned’
The signatories have said that they are “deeply concerned over the persistent hounding” of Prof. Menon, who was recently removed as chair of the Centre, three months prior to the official end of her term.
They pointed out that Prof. Menon was not informed about the decision or given the opportunity to explain her position, as is the convention.
“This shameful victimisation of Prof. Menon appears to have been triggered by her dissent on the procedural lapses in the constitution of selection committees to appoint new faculty, something she was morally and duty-bound to do so,” the petition read.
It added that her sudden removal as chair of the Centre was an attack on the intellectual and moral freedom to dissent against ideas, procedures, and values.
Commenting on the panel constituted by JNU to look into the “alleged” role of Prof. Menon in instigating students at an Academic Council meeting held in December 2016, the petitioners said: “These charges are blatantly false and the only reason she is being persistently hounded is to warn other teachers of what could happen to them if they do not comply.”
‘Silencing community’
It added that the administration has decided to let the constant threat of disciplinary action become their chosen mode to silence the teaching community and prevent them from asking questions about the gross violation of norms and procedures being followed by the university.
The signatories have demand that Prof. Menon be reinstated immediately as chairperson of the Centre and be allowed to perform her duties until the end of her term in December and that the university should withdraw the baseless enquiry set up against her.
