The volatile atmosphere at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) reached a boiling point on Sunday night as hundreds of students organized a massive torchlight march, demanding the immediate resignation of Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. The mobilization, described as one of the largest in recent months, marks a sharp escalation in the standoff between the administration and the student body.
The protesters have threatened a full-scale lockdown of academic buildings, including the School of Social Sciences (SSS) and the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance, to protest what they call “systemic exclusion and caste supremacy.”
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The “Victim Card” Controversy: A Clash of Ideologies
The current firestorm stems from a 52-minute podcast interview published on February 16. During the conversation, VC Pandit allegedly compared the struggle of Dalits to historical movements for Black rights, cautioning that “you cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card.”
The JNUSU responded with a scathing statement, claiming the remarks reflect a “chronology of injustice” and an attempt to delegitimize the genuine struggles of marginalized students. Pandit has since rejected these labels, clarifying that she is from an OBC background and was critiquing “woke” historians rather than the community itself.
UGC Equity Regulations: The “Woke” Debate
At the heart of the policy dispute are the UGC’s new equity regulations, which aimed to strengthen affirmative action and inclusive hiring in universities. Pandit described these regulations—currently stayed by the Supreme Court—as:
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“Irrational” and “totally unnecessary.”
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An example of “wokeism” being imported into the Indian system.
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“Constitutionally flawed” due to a lack of consultation with stakeholders.
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Library Lockdown: Rustication and Surveillance
The march is also a show of solidarity for five rusticated student leaders. The administration debarred them for two semesters following an incident at the Ambedkar Library, where surveillance equipment was allegedly vandalized.
Pandit defended the decision, citing the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. “It is taxpayers’ money. I am answerable as a Vice-Chancellor to the government,” she stated, adding that in any other context, such actions would result in “jail without bail.”
Reality Check
The VC is framing her stance as a “Bahujan” critique of “Wokeism.” Still, for the predominantly Left-leaning student body of JNU, the nuances of her “anti-woke” argument feel like a direct attack on social justice frameworks. Therefore, while Pandit claims she is protecting the university from “imaginary worlds,” the students see her as an agent of “caste supremacy.” In fact, the rustication of the entire JNUSU leadership has left the union with nothing to lose, making a campus-wide lockdown almost inevitable.
The Loopholes
Pandit mentioned a “Public Destruction of Public Property Act.” In fact, she was likely referring to the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Therefore, while her terminology was slightly off, the legal weight she is applying is real. Still, the “inconsequential” loophole—where the administration stays silent until a protest loses steam—is unlikely to work this time, given that the AI Impact Summit has just concluded, leaving the Delhi Police with free resources to manage campus security.
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What This Means for You
If you are a student or researcher at JNU, realize that your academic schedule is about to be disrupted. First, expect the East Gate and Sabarmati areas to remain flashpoints for the next 48 hours. Then, if the “lockdown” proceeds, access to libraries and labs in the Schools of Social Sciences and International Studies will be restricted.
Finally, understand that the Supreme Court’s stay on UGC regulations is the primary legal backdrop. You should monitor the next court hearing on this matter, as it will determine whether Pandit’s “anti-woke” policy stance becomes the national standard. Before heading to the campus, check the JNUSU official social media handles for real-time updates on which gates are open for entry.
What’s Next
The JNUSU has declared today a “National Protest Day.” Then, student delegations are expected to seek an audience with the Ministry of Education. Finally, look for a heavy security deployment around the Ambedkar Library to prevent further clashes as the university prepares for its mid-semester assessments.
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