SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Starting July 1, 2026, SAR no longer publishes reports for the incidents that it records. SAR continues to monitor and record incidents that will be used in the annual Free to Think report. This page provides a record of incidents reported up to that date. Learn more about the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project.

Date of Incident: March 28, 2025

Attack Types: Loss of Position

Institution(s):Ambedkar University Delhi

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

New or Ongoing:New Incident

On March 28, 2025, the Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) administration issued a show-cause notice to Kaustav Banerjee, an associate professor at the university’s School of Global Affairs, in relation to a speech that he delivered during a student protest on March 24.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) invited Banerjee to give a speech at a public meeting held on AUD’s campus on March 24 to protest the suspension of MA student Mantasha Irfan for criticizing AUD’s administration (see report). After the meeting, AUD’s registrar’s office issued Banerjee a show-cause notice, accusing him of “ disturbing public order, decency and morality and contrary to the rules, regulations and established practices of the institution” and of lacking integrity and professionalism in giving the speech. The registrar gave Banerjee 45 days to respond.

Scholars at Risk is concerned by a university taking disciplinary action against a professor for exercising his right to freedom of opinion and expression – conduct that is protected by international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a party. Higher education administrators should respect academic freedom, and should employ transparent, fair processes when engaging in disciplinary actions. In addition to the harm to the immediate victim, such actions undermine academic freedom.

Sources:
https://bestcolleges.indiatoday.in/news-detail/students-of-aud-stand-in-solidarity-with-professor-facing-disciplinary-notice
https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/delhi-ambedkar-university-issues-show-cause-notice-to-professor-alleges-doubtful-integrity/119943640
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/ambedkar-university-students-protest-for-academic-freedom-as-professor-faces-show-cause-notice-for-alleged-support-of-student-demonstration/articleshow/119943523.cms
https://www.thehindu.com/education/delhis-ambedkar-university-students-stand-with-professor-facing-disciplinary-action/article69422836.ece
https://freespeechcollective.in/statements/statement-by-democratic-teachers-initiative-dti-against-the-show-cause-notice-served-to-dr-kaustuv-banerjee-by-aud-admin/