JNU Students Vote for Vice Chancellor's Resignation Over 2,100 students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) voted in favor of Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit's resignation in a referendum organized by the JNUSU, according to results released by the student union. The vote, which saw 2,409 students participate, concluded with 2,181 students (90.54%) supporting the VC's resignation. The decision followed allegations of casteist remarks made by the vice chancellor, which sparked widespread backlash among students and faculty. Aditi Mishra, president of the JNUSU, addressed a press conference to announce the referendum results. She stated that 207 students (8.59%) voted to keep the VC in her position, while 21 votes (0.87%) were deemed invalid. Mishra emphasized that the overwhelming majority of voters believed the VC should step down, citing her casteist comments as the primary reason for the demand. The student union also announced plans for a public hearing on March 16-17, inviting retired judges, lawyers, academicians, and activists to address alleged corruption and misconduct by the VC. The hearing will reportedly include a "charge sheet" detailing the VC's alleged corrupt acts. This comes amid ongoing tensions between the university administration and the student union, which have escalated over multiple controversies. Protests at JNU have persisted since early February after the university suspended four JNUSU officials, including former president Nitish Kumar, for two semesters. The suspensions were imposed for "extensive damage to university property" during a November 21, 2025, protest at the Dr B R Ambedkar Central Library.#jawaharlal_nehru_university #jnusu #santishree_dhulipudi_pandit #aditi_mishra #dr_b_r_ambedkar_central_library
Row over JNU VC’s remark escalates A dispute over alleged casteist remarks made by Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has intensified, with the JNU Students' Union announcing the results of a campus referendum seeking her removal. The union claimed that 2,181 students voted in favor of her ouster, though the process has faced criticism from some students and faculty members who argue the union lacks statutory authority to conduct such a vote. The referendum, held on March 10 across the university’s schools, saw 2,409 students cast their votes, with 207 supporting the continuation of the VC’s tenure and 21 ballots deemed invalid. The university has approximately 9,000 students across various disciplines. The controversy erupted after the VC allegedly remarked that “Dalits and Blacks are drugged with victimhood,” sparking widespread protests on campus. The situation escalated over the past weeks, beginning with strikes and later evolving into lockdowns at multiple schools. During a protest march to the ministry of education, police detained over 50 JNU students and arrested 14 union members, who were held in custody for three days before being released on bail. The issue has also led to numerous complaints and formal representations to authorities. Former JNUSU president Dhananjay has written to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, seeking action against the alleged remarks, while the teachers’ body JNUTA has approached the ministry of education. In a countermove, a group of faculty members has written to the President of India, alleging the VC is being targeted.#jawaharlal_nehru_university #santishree_dhulipudi_pandit #jnu_students_union #national_commission_for_scheduled_castes #jnutaa
JNUSU ‘referendum’: over 2,000 students back V-C’s removal The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) announced on Wednesday that a “student referendum” held recently demonstrated strong support for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. The decision followed allegations that the V-C made casteist remarks in a podcast earlier this month. According to the union, 2,409 students participated in the vote, with 2,181 casting their ballots in favor of her resignation. A total of 207 students voted to retain her position, while 21 votes were deemed invalid. In a statement, the JNUSU emphasized that the referendum reflected the “overwhelming sentiment of the student body,” highlighting a demand for accountability and the V-C’s resignation. The union described the outcome as a “decisive democratic mandate” from the students, underscoring their commitment to addressing the alleged misconduct. The vote was conducted as part of the university’s internal processes, with the JNUSU asserting its role in representing student interests and ensuring transparency in such matters. The V-C’s remarks, which were reportedly made in a podcast discussing campus policies, sparked widespread controversy. Students and activists criticized the comments as discriminatory, leading to calls for her removal. The referendum was organized to gauge student opinion on the issue, with the union claiming it provided a clear indication of the community’s stance. The university administration has not yet issued an official response to the referendum results. However, the incident has reignited debates about campus governance, free speech, and the role of student unions in addressing grievances.#jawaharlal_nehru_university #jnusu #santishree_dhulipudi_pandit #student_referendum #casteist_remarks
