SAU Fires Professor Bhattacharya Over Student Protest Support

New Delhi – The South Asian University (SAU) in New Delhi has officially dismissed Associate Professor Snehashish Bhattacharya, more than two years after suspending him. The university cited “incitement of students against the interest of the university” as the reason for the termination, effective from June 16, 2023. This decision has sparked widespread reactions, particularly from the alumni community, who have criticized the university's handling of the case.

Professor Bhattacharya’s Background

Snehashish Bhattacharya joined SAU in 2011 and was a key figure in establishing the university’s Economics program. He taught the very first batch of Economics students at the university and played a significant role in mentoring students. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, USA, and has been a part of SAU for over a decade.

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SAU itself is a regional hub of higher education, set up by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states. It was designed to promote education, research, and cooperation in the South Asian region, attracting students and faculty from across member countries.

Suspension and Allegations

The issue dates back to 2022, when SAU reduced the monthly stipends for master’s students from Rs 5,000 to Rs 3,000. This decision caused significant unrest among students, who protested and demanded an increase to Rs 7,000. Although the university partially rolled back the stipend cut, tensions remained high, and student protests intensified.

In October 2022, police were called to the SAU campus in Chanakyapuri to control the protesting students. Following this, Professor Bhattacharya and twelve other faculty members wrote a letter criticizing the university’s decision to involve the police. They argued that such action could damage the university's “international character.” Later, fifteen faculty members, including Bhattacharya, signed another statement criticizing the expulsion of protesting students. They called the expulsions “arbitrary actions” that could destabilize the university.

These actions led to the formation of a Disciplinary Committee by SAU, which prepared a detailed report in November 2023. The committee brought forward 52 charges against Professor Bhattacharya. Some of the key accusations included:

• Making “wild and unsubstantiated allegations”

• Concealing facts

• Inciting students by circulating emails to the entire university community, including teaching, non-teaching staff, and students

The report concluded that mass emails sent by Professor Bhattacharya were clear evidence of incitement against the university’s interests.

Professor’s Defence

Professor Bhattacharya strongly denied the charges. In his written defence, he stated that raising concerns about the university’s procedures and decisions was a “responsible function of any employee.” He argued that questioning actions like police involvement and the expulsion of students was part of his duty as a faculty member.

However, the university administration rejected his defence as “unsatisfactory.” They cited Article V of SAU’s code of conduct and claimed that his response to the August 2024 show-cause notice “had no substance.” Based on this, the administration decided to dismiss Professor Bhattacharya.

Reaction from Alumni

The dismissal has faced sharp criticism from SAU’s alumni association. In a letter dated September 4, 2025, addressed to the university’s Executive Council, alumni urged the administration to revoke both the suspension and the dismissal proceedings.

Many alumni described Professor Bhattacharya as a mentor who had a “foundational role” in shaping their intellectual growth. They warned that his dismissal could set a “ghastly precedent” for how the university treats dedicated faculty members.

The letter also criticized the disciplinary proceedings as “biased” and “utterly absurd.” Alumni emphasized that no concrete evidence was provided to prove that Professor Bhattacharya incited students. They noted that he was “the least likely person at SAU to ever incite students or act against the university’s interests.”

Previous Suspensions and Reinstatements

Professor Bhattacharya was not the only faculty member affected during the 2023 disciplinary actions. Four faculty members were suspended for allegedly violating the university’s code of conduct. Two of them were reinstated after submitting letters of regret. A contractual faculty member had already left the university when their tenure ended.

Unlike his colleagues, Professor Bhattacharya refused to apologise, maintaining that he acted responsibly in raising concerns. His refusal to submit an apology contributed to the administration’s final decision to dismiss him.

Impact and Controversy

The case has raised important questions about academic freedom and the role of faculty in supporting student voices. Supporters argue that Professor Bhattacharya’s actions were intended to protect the students’ rights and uphold fair procedures, not to harm the university.

The university’s handling of protests and disciplinary measures has also been criticized. Calling the police to manage student protests and expelling students who expressed dissent are seen by some as extreme measures that contradict the university’s international and academic values.

Alumni and other critics worry that the dismissal could discourage other faculty members from voicing concerns in the future. They argue that it may create a culture of fear, where questioning decisions or supporting students could be viewed as “incitement.”

Professor Bhattacharya’s Legacy

Despite the controversy, Professor Bhattacharya is remembered for his significant contributions to SAU. He was instrumental in shaping the Economics program and mentoring several batches of students. Many former students, now academics and researchers worldwide, credit him for guiding their academic journeys.

The alumni letter highlighted his dedication to the institution and warned that the dismissal could negatively affect the university’s reputation as a fair and supportive place for both students and faculty.

The dismissal of Professor Snehashish Bhattacharya from South Asian University has become a focal point for debates about academic freedom, student rights, and university governance. While the administration has defended its decision under SAU’s code of conduct, alumni and supporters argue that the move sets a troubling precedent.

As this story continues to unfold, questions remain about how universities balance authority, student welfare, and the freedom of faculty members to express concerns responsibly. Professor Bhattacharya’s case serves as a reminder of the challenges academic institutions face when handling protests, dissent, and disciplinary actions.