Yamini Aiyar, a scholar and president of the Centre for Policy Research, resigned from her position on March 26, a few days after her critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership was published in the Economic Times.
Aiyar’s opinion piece, which was published on March 23, stated that “a dark shadow of creeping authoritarianism looms over India as it prepares for its 18th general election.” “Yamini Aiyar laments the damage done to Indian democracy under Narendra Modi” was the title of the article.
She agreed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi, is expected to secure a third term in office. She nevertheless wrote, “…his governance, built on aggressive centralisation, legitimised by a cult of personality and undergirded by an exclusionary Hindu-nationalist ideology, is eroding India’s democracy.”
She added that “the space for the political opposition, media, academia and civil society to freely express their views is fast shrinking”.
Days after publishing the article, the Centre for Policy Research released a statement, informing that “Yamini Aiyar, President, and Chief Executive of the Centre for Policy Research will step down from her current role as of 31st March 2024″.
The press release added that she will “devote more time to her research interests.”
An absolute privilege to have lead & fought for this remarkable institution. CPR's fierce intellectual independence and democratic spirit have enriched me enormously.
Delighted that @CPR_India leadership will now be in the very capable hands of my wonderful colleague Srinivas. https://t.co/MR0xzYonVQ— Yamini Aiyar (@AiyarYamini) March 26, 2024
Aiyar has a large body of work published in both scholarly and popular journals. According to her online profile, she “writes regularly on current affairs and policy matters in mainstream Indian newspapers.”
As the new president and chief executive, the board named Dr. Srinivas Chokkakula, Senior Fellow CPR and Ministry of Jal Shakti Research Chair. The press release stated, “He will assume the role with effect from April 1, 2024.”
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