Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Academics Urge SAARC Envoy to Intervene in SAU Professor's Dismissal
Imagine a university where a teacher was fired.
Many other teachers from around the world think this firing was unfair and want a big boss, the SAARC Ambassador, to help.
They wrote a letter saying the university didn't explain well why they fired the teacher and didn't have good proof.
They also worry that this might make it scary for other teachers and students to speak up.
The university says they followed their rules, but the other teachers want the firing to be undone and for the university to be more open and fair.
The teacher who was fired is also asking a court for help.
Over 300 academics have appealed to the SAARC Secretary-General to intervene in the dismissal of Dr. Snehashish Bhattacharya, an Associate Professor of Economics at South Asian University (SAU).
Dr. Bhattacharya was terminated on September 11, 2023, with services ending retrospectively from June 2023, after being suspended in June 2023.
The academics describe the dismissal as 'unjust and punitive,' alleging a lack of transparency, fairness, and credible evidence, and a threat to academic freedom.
SAU stated that the termination followed a Disciplinary Committee report and was in accordance with university regulations.
Dr. Bhattacharya has challenged his termination in the Delhi High Court, with a hearing scheduled for November 18.
- Who
- More than 300 academics globally and Dr. Snehashish Bhattacharya, an Associate Professor of Economics at South Asian University (SAU)
- What
- Academics are urging the SAARC Secretary-General to intervene in the 'unjust and punitive dismissal' of Dr. Bhattacharya, citing lack of transparency, fairness, and credible evidence, and a threat to academic freedom.
- When
- The dismissal was effective September 11, 2023, retrospectively from June 2023. The academics sent their letter on a Monday.
- Where
- South Asian University (SAU) in New Delhi.
- Why
- Academics believe Dr. Bhattacharya was unjustly dismissed, that the SAU administration acted without transparency or credible evidence, and that the dismissal threatens academic freedom and collegiality.
- Accused Academic
- Dr. Snehashish Bhattacharya
- University
- South Asian University (SAU)
- Allegations
- Inciting students against university interests during stipend protests
- Dismissal Date
- September 11, 2023 (retrospective from June 2023)
- Number of Academics Urging Intervention
- Over 300
- Recipient of Appeal
- SAARC Secretary-General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar
- Academic's Legal Challenge
- Challenged termination in Delhi High Court