Alan Rusbridger writes on JNU's decision to review Romila Thapar's academic credentials

 

It is beyond belief that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has chosen to question the academic credentials of the distinguished historian, Professor Romila Thapar (Inside pages, “ JNU reviewing position of emeritus professors ”, September 2).

I write as the Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. As a college, we are proud to have Prof. Thapar as an honorary fellow. As a university, we are privileged that she accepted an honorary doctorate in acknowledgement of her outstanding work and achievements.

All her many books and accolades seem of no account to whichever official at JNU who recently wrote to Prof. Thapar asking for her CV so that a committee could evaluate her work and decide whether she should continue as a professor emerita.

It is not clear what JNU is hoping to achieve by this process of evaluating a professorship which was conferred for life in recognition of her past work. Is it really imaginable that JNU would strip her of this honour? Such an action would bring JNU into disrepute among academics the world over.

Alan Rusbridger,

Principal, Lady Margaret Hall,

University of Oxford