Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Santishree D Pandit has issued a formal defense of her controversial comments regarding Dalits and the Black community made during a podcast on February 16.

In her statement, Pandit asserted that her words had been misrepresented and taken out of context by certain factions for political reasons. This clarification comes in the wake of protests led by student organizations, including the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU), which have called for her resignation following the uproar over her statements.

Support from Faculty Members

According to a written statement shared by the Vice Chancellor, numerous faculty members expressed their “unwavering support” for Pandit. They accused the JNU Students’ Union and the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) of undermining healthy discourse on campus by selectively framing her remarks. The dispute arose from Pandit’s comments made while discussing the UGC’s proposed 2026 Equity (Anti-Discrimination) Regulations, which intend to combat caste-related discrimination in higher education institutions.

Specific Remarks and Context

In a snippet from the podcast that has circulated widely, Pandit was quoted as saying that Dalits and Blacks “cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card.” This statement provoked significant backlash from various student groups. In a subsequent telephone conversation, Pandit clarified that her remarks were not intended to demean Dalits. Rather, she stated her opposition to what she referred to as “wokes” who exploit such identities for political gain. She underscored her belief that no individual should be labeled as a permanent victim or oppressor.

Response to Allegations of Political Motivations

Pandit further accused the protesting student organizations of diverting attention from issues such as vandalism and violence on campus, which she described as intolerable in a civilized society. She argued that the focus on her comments was a tactic to evade addressing these pressing matters. Regarding the equity regulations, Pandit expressed her support for fair practices but opposed a system that perpetuates inequity based solely on someone’s birth identity.

Invoking Ambedkar’s Principles

Referencing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, she remarked, “Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar would not have agreed to an inequitable law.” She positioned her comments as aligned with Ambedkar’s philosophy, emphasizing that her intentions were misinterpreted. Pandit mentioned that her remarks were selectively extracted from within a broader context of the 55-minute podcast, stating that the contentious segment appears later in the discussion.

Support from Dalit Leaders

Pandit also highlighted endorsements from Dalit leaders, including Professor Vivek Kumar, an intellectual and advisor to the Bahujan Samaj Party, who reportedly understood her remarks accurately. Meanwhile, faculty members condemned the uproar surrounding her statements as a “malicious attempt” to destabilize the university and undermine her leadership. In their unsigned statement, they criticized the distribution of a short clip from the full podcast and accused “Leftist fringe groups” of manipulating the situation using student unions.

JNUSU’s Stance on the Issue

In a statement released on February 22, the JNU Students’ Union denounced what they described as “blatantly casteist statements” and renewed their demand for Pandit’s resignation. They asserted that her comments exemplified a history of injustice and systemic exclusion within universities and public spaces. The union invited other student bodies across campuses to join their protest against what they see as caste supremacy inherent in her remarks. Furthermore, they objected to her open declaration of allegiance to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which she described as influential in shaping her worldview.

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