It is now official. Jawaharlal Nehru University’s administration, which has been busy inducting mediocre academics over the last few years, has actually taken leave of its senses. The JNU Registrar’s letter to Prof Romila Thapar (87), asking her to submit her CV so that the university can determine if she can continue as Professor Emerita, has caused outrage in India and is likely to embarrass the university internationally.

The letter appears to be a deliberate insult in an attempt to provoke Prof Thapar into abandoning the honorary post. Eminent academics are invited to continue their association, engage a few classes and interact with and guide students and faculty. No remuneration is paid to them. They are given a room in the university where they can spend some time, reading, writing and interacting with students and the faculty. Once chosen, they continue for life.