Controversial Dismissal: Ajit Ranade Ousted from Gokhale Institute

Ajit Ranade, a prominent economist, has been removed from his position as Vice Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. This decision has sparked controversy, with Congress criticising it as a sign of institutional decay. Ranade, highly accomplished with extensive academic and corporate experience, called the decision shocking.

Ajit Ranade, a noted economist, has been ousted from his role as Vice Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, amid cries of controversy from political circles.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the decision, citing it as evidence of institutional decay in an increasingly illiberal climate. Ramesh highlighted that Ranade had been appointed in February 2022, a move widely praised at the time.

Ranade's dismissal, justified on the grounds of insufficient teaching experience per UGC norms, has been criticised as 'strange' given that such information should have been known to the appointing authorities. Despite his impeccable credentials in engineering, management, and economics, and extensive experience in the corporate sector, Ranade's removal has raised questions about underlying motives.

(With inputs from agencies.)