Over 260 academics, including Noam Chomsky, from around the world on Monday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, the Visitor of Visva-Bharati, seeking her intervention against the central university’s decision to terminate the services of Sudipta Bhattacharyya, professor of economics.

They said the order went against the principles of natural justice.

Besides Chomsky — a public intellectual, linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, social critic and political activist and an institute professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — economists Prabhat Patnaik and Amit Bhaduri are among the signatories.

“The termination order is indicative of how the norms, laws and procedures governing Visva-Bharati are being violated under the leadership of its current vice-chancellor. As the Visitor of Visva-Bharati and the custodian of statutes and ordinances of the university, we urge you to kindly intervene in this matter to ensure that this institute of national importance that was founded by Rabindranath Tagore continues to foster the spirit of ‘where the mind is without fear’ instead of descending into a saga of vendetta, intimidation and highhandedness by its authorities,” read the letter.

The academics asserted that it was clear that the termination was made without a proper inquiry or proceedings. “Neither has there been a showcause notice issued to the professor concerned. These violations of standard procedure point towards malice and arbitrariness,” the letter pointed out.

Bhattacharyya, the president of the Visva-Bharati Faculty Association, received a letter informing him of the termination decision on December 22 last year. Acting registrar Ashok Mahato mentioned in the letter that the decision was taken by the varsity’s executive council.

The central university claimed that the termination resulted from the professor’s involvement in alleged gross misconduct. But larger sections of the Visva-Bharati community described it as “an act of vengeance” by vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty, against whom Bhattacharyya had sent a series of letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (the Chancellor), besides the Union education minister and several others.

Bhattacharyya has been a key figure in campus protests against Chakrabarty’s alleged wrongdoings.

Several academics said that if a university tries to suffocate voices of dissent on campus, its ethos would be ruined.

“Unless there is freedom of expression, freedom of discussion in a university, such an institution simply can’t fulfill its role. Therefore, a university should be the one place with different segments like administration, faculties and students, and in different situations, they express their opinions clearly. Subverting this atmosphere would certainly destroy the university,” economist Patnaik told this newspaper.

The letter of termination gave Bhattacharyya 15 days to submit his representation, if any. Bhattacharyya said he had already submitted his reply by consulting his lawyer. He has petitioned Calcutta High Court, where a hearing is scheduled on January 13.

Chakrabarty’s four years at the helm have been marked by disciplinary proceedings, suspensions and removals of teachers and other employees, and action against students.

Sections of teachers and students have accused Chakrabarty of muzzling dissent and pursuing an agenda of “saffronising” the institution.