Ashoka University distances itself from controversial research paper on electoral manipulation by BJP after row erupts

The assistant professor of economics at Ashoka University, Sabyasachi Das is in dock after his unpublished research paper titled, Democratic Backsliding in the World’s Largest Democracy received backlash. In his paper, Das hinted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was involved in possible manipulations in closely fought elections.

Know what is mentioned in the research paper?

In the research paper, Das mentioned that he had assimilated various data sets and after close evaluation it indicated that there were chances of electoral manipulation in the closely contested seats. It further mentioned that the manipulation appears to take the form of targeted electoral discrimination against India’s largest minority group – Muslims and this was possible  due to weak monitoring by the election observers.

BJP Congress spar over controversial research paper

War of words has erupted between the Congress and the BJP over the research paper by h Das. BJP’s MP Dr Nishikant Dubey  described the research paper as a bundle of half -baked truth and denounced it for discrediting India’s election process.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to twitter and stated that the thread on the research paper was a troubling analysis for all lovers of Indian democracy. In his tweet, he said, “If the Election Commission and/or the Government of India have answers available to refute these arguments, they should provide them in detail. The evidence presented does not lend itself to political attacks on a serious scholar. E.g. the discrepancy in vote tallies needs to be explained, since it can’t be wished away.”

Ashoka University rules out any association with the research paper by Das

The university stated that it is dismayed by the speculation and debate around a recent paper by one of its faculty members (Sabyasachi Das, Assistant Professor of Economics) and the university’s position on its contents. Social media activity or public activism by Ashoka faculty, students or staff in their individual capacity does not reflect the stand of the University.