Row over EPW editor's resignation: Managing trust faces patrons' ire

Trust head defends its stand

Ram Manohar Reddy's resignation as editor of the Economic & Political Weekly has not gone down well with a wide section of the intelligentsia and the journal's patrons.

Reddy has apparently decided to sever all relationships with the Sameeksha Trust, the non-profit body overseeing the journal's affairs. A joint letter has been signed by 101 people to the trust, to retain him in an advisory role in the process of selecting the new editor. Among them are Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former deputy chairman of the Planning Commision; Sugata Bose, a historian and a Member of Parliament; Ramachandra Guha, historian, and N Ram, chairman of The Hindu group of publications.

Calling themselves the 'EPW community', they asked the trust to allow Reddy to continue with his plan of celebrating the completion of 50 years of the journal. Reddy wanted to celebrate it in a grand way, showcasing the journal's history by making a documentary film and publishing special issues. This was opposed by the trust.

"We propose that Ram Reddy be asked to take up and continue the activities he had planned to celebrate this anniversary. We also strongly urge that he be included and given a role in the process of selecting the new editor, and that such a selection be done in an open and transparent manner, with all trustees invited to be part of that process. We believe that in the interests of continuity, and to build on the achievements registered during his tenure, it would be ideal if Ram Reddy is persuaded to take on a role in the transition to a new editorial regime and in the future governance of the EPW, preferably as a trustee," the letter said. Business Standard has reviewed a copy of the letter.

Deepak Nayyar, chairman of the trust, said the allegations were out of place. "For some time now, Ram Reddy has wanted to step down to retire from his position as editor. Initially, he had said he would like to do this on March 31, 2015, but at the persuasion of the trust, he agreed to continue for some more time. However, in February 2015, he informed us he would like to step down and retire no later than March 31, 2016. At its meeting in April 2015, the trust agreed to his request and constituted a search committee of three trustees to help select and appoint his successor. The committee has consulted widely, as also considered all the suitable candidates suggested by Ram Reddy, and is nearing the completion of its work. We hope to be able to appoint an editor soon, who would start on April 1. For more than a decade now, Ram Reddy has been admirable as editor of EPW, and made an enormous contribution. And, we have planned for a smooth transition."

Aniket Alam, executive editor of EPW, said the differences with the trust wasn't the reason for Reddy's resignation. "The search for his successor started from August itself," he said.