‘Completely restricted’: India’s academic freedom index hits historic low
New York: India’s standing in the Academic Freedom Index has experienced a significant decline over the past decade.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this revelation comes from the “Free to Think 2024” report published by the New York-based Scholars at Risk (SAR) Academic Freedom Monitoring Project. This network includes 665 universities worldwide, such as Columbia University, Duke University, and New York University. The report documents 391 attacks on higher education communities across 51 countries between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
The report notes that from 2013 to 2023, India’s academic freedom score plummeted from 0.6 to 0.2 points, marking a dramatic fall. The report highlights that the primary threats to academic freedom in India stem from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) attempts to exert political control over educational institutions and to impose a Hindu nationalist agenda. Additionally, policies limiting student protests have further stifled dissent and free expression on campuses.
As a result, India now ranks as “completely restricted” in the Academic Freedom Index, achieving its lowest score since the mid-1940s. The report cites specific instances of governmental overreach, including new policies at Jawaharlal Nehru University and South Asian University that limit student expression and engagement. These measures not only undermine the autonomy of educational institutions but also discourage critical discourse, which is essential for a vibrant academic environment.
