'Proud of RSS, UGC regulations irrational': JNUSU demands VC's resignation over Dalit 'victim card' remark

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has demanded the resignation of JNU VC Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit over "blatantly casteist statements” made by her in a podcast released on February 16.

In a statement, the students’ union said it was “shocked” by the remarks made by the VC, alleging that her comments reflected “caste supremacy” and insensitivity towards marginalised communities.

According to the JNUSU, the VC proudly proclaimed her RSS lineage during the podcast and said: “I am proud of my affiliations with Rashtriya Sevika Samiti”. “RSS gave me a worldview which is universal and unique…RSS taught appreciation of difference and diversity,” she said.

Calling the remarks “abhorrent” and “casteist”, the union quoted her as saying: “UGC regulations are unnecessary and irrational”. It also flagged her statement: "You cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card. This was done for the Blacks; the same thing was brought for Dalits here. By making somebody a devil, it is not easy to progress. It is a temporary type of drug."

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"Is this the worldview that she was taught at RSS camps? This is the chronology we have to understand. The chronology of injustice, caste supremacy, and perpetual systemic exclusion in universities and public spaces," the statement read.

The JNU Students’ Union has called for a national protest day on February 21, demanding the VC’s resignation.

The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) and the vice-chancellor. Earlier, the JNUTA had written multiple letters addressed to the President of India Droupadi Murmu, who is also the Visitor of the university, seeking the VC’s removal, alleging administrative irregularities, delays in CAS promotions for faculty, and “abuse of power”.