ACADEMIC FREEDOM VS 'PRIORITY' RESEARCH: ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT

摘要

It is the duty of intellectuals to speak truth to power. Therefore, criticisms of government's action and motive are expected in a democracy. But it does not serve much purpose if they are triggered primarily by fear or suspicion and happen to be disproportionate to the main cause of action. A recent circular (March 13, 2019) by the Central University of Kerala (CUK) pursuant to a meeting of a few vice-chancellors of central universities and the vehement protests against it by many academics and the media raise fundamental questions about the climate, direction and quality of research in our public funded universities and institutions.