On 26 October 2014, professor and historian Romila Thapar delivered the Third Nikhil Chakravartty Memorial lecture, reflecting on the eroding space for public intellectuals in India. https://theprint.in/opinion/great-speeches/why-public-intellectuals-dont-confront-authority-today-romila-thapar/2643673/
There are many more academics, for instance, than ever existed before, but it seems that most prefer not to confront authority, even if it devours the path of free thought. Is this because they wish to pursue knowledge undisturbed, or because they are ready to discard knowledge should authority require them to do so?
Education is moving out of the hands of educationalists, it would seem, and into those politics, politicians, political organisations, pretending to be cultural and religious institutions. This makes it crucial to be aware of how politicians today relate to intellectuals, if at all they do. Ideally, the essence of learning lies in enabling a person to think in forms that are analytical, logical, autonomous, not to mention creative.
01/06/2025