JNU V-C’s podcast remarks spark ‘chaos,’ FIR against students, and campus ‘lockdown’

On the night of February 22, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) organised a rally against “casteist remarks” made by JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit in a podcast.

JNUSU, along with other student organisations, carried out a “lockdown” throughout campus. But what was meant to be a “peaceful protest” asking for the V-C’s resignation turned into a night of chaos with All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) accusing each other of stone-pelting and assault.

Newslaundry visited the JNU campus to speak to eyewitnesses. 

‘Permanent victimhood’

Calling the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 “unnecessary”, Pandit remarked on The Sunday Guardian Podcast, “There is a permanent victimhood, and you cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card. This was done for blacks (referring to African-Americans in the US), the same was brought for Dalits here.”

The UGC regulations, currently stayed by the Supreme Court, were meant to make educational campuses more “inclusive” and curb “caste discrimination,” but have instead become a flashpoint on campuses.

University takes action, FIRs filed

Taking cognisance of the night’s events, the JNU administration released a statement condemning “such unruly behaviour on campus aimed at repeated destruction of public property and its inclusive ethos”.

“Strict action under University’s rules & regulations and under BNS is being taken to ensure proper academic environment in the campus,” they added.

Later on February 23, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against JNUSU students under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – including ‘criminal conspiracy’, ‘unlawful assembly’, ‘assault’, and ‘causing grievous hurt’ – and a section under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Hindustan Times reported.

Additionally, JNUSU students have filed a complaint with the Vasant Kunj police station, alleging stone-pelting and assault by members of the ABVP.

Watch this ground report to learn more about what transpired that night. 

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