Liberal education and activism are connected by an umbilical cord. Any attempt to decouple critical thinking from civic action frustrates the very point of liberal arts. Quality liberal education must produce humans capable of independent judgment, who act on their convictions. As Paulo Freire reminded us, education is inherently subversive. So how should a university deal with the consequences of what it teaches? Ashoka University’s handling of Prof. Mahmudabad reflects a deeper anxiety: Faced with a politically motivated witch-hunt, the university abandoned a faculty member at the first hint of controversy — and then joined the chorus. If this is the message from the founders, it is loud and chilling. But should this debate remain confined to Ashoka and its donors? Or must the defence of liberal education now rest with the public? Read full: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/yogendra-yadav-writes-ashoka-university-and-illiberal-liberal-arts-10057359/