BJP leader Subramanian Swamy urged for “State oversight” on Ashoka University, citing series of allegations of corruption, financial frauds, mysterious death of two students and indoctrination of students with anti-national, separatist, or seditious viewpoints. In a detailed letter to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini, Swamy pointed out that certain promoters of the University is facing charges of money laundering charges of Rs 1,627 crore, tax evasions and rampant use of narcotics in campus.
“However, reliable sources suggest widespread consumption of narcotics, including cannabis and other intoxicants, within the campus premises, which point towards systematic failure of university authorities in upholding the law and maintaining a safe academic environment. The gravity of the situation is further exacerbated by the arrest of a university faculty member, one Ali Khan Mahmudabad, by Haryana Police for inflammatory social media remarks related to national security (Operation Sindoor). The fact that such individuals are entrusted with mentoring students calls into question the institution’s hiring practices and its adherence to constitutional values and public order,” said Swamy in a detailed five page complaint to Haryana Chief Minister.
Swamy accused Ashoka University for “indoctrination of students with anti-national, separatist, or seditious viewpoints” There is growing public concern that certain faculty members and administrative influencers at Ashoka University have been actively involved in promoting ideologically driven narratives that are antithetical to the interests of the Indian Republic. Repeated instances of indoctrination of students with anti-national, separatist, or seditious viewpoints, often disguised as academic discourse, appear to be the norm. These actions appear to systematically undermine the constitutional ethos, national unity and the spirit of responsible citizenship. Such ideological subversion, especially when directed at impressionable young minds under the garb of liberal education, poses a grave threat to the moral and intellectual fabric of our nation and must be investigated with the seriousness it deserves, alleged the BJP leader.
“It must be stressed that Ashoka University’s founding trustees include Pranav Gupta and Vineet Gupta, both of whom were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in 2023 in connection with a Rs 1,627 crore bank fraud related to Parabolic Drugs Ltd. This fraudulent scheme is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Serious questions arise regarding the source of funds channelled into the university and whether Ashoka University has served as a conduit for laundering illicit proceeds.
“There are mounting concerns that funds meant for academic purposes are being systematically siphoned off through opaque financial structures, which appears to be confirmed by members of faculty in the public domain. There is an urgent need to examine whether the university and its related entities have evaded taxes, violated FEMA regulations, or misappropriated donations collected from Indian and foreign sources under false pretences, said Swamy demanding need for urgent State oversight on Ashoka University.