Mumbai-Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Vice Chancellor, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, raised questions about equitable treatment by the Supreme Court during a book launch event in Pune. Pandit pondered whether the Court would extend similar clemency to others as it did for activist Teesta Setalvad on a Saturday night.
Setalvad had been granted interim protection on July 1, shielding her from arrest in a case involving alleged evidence fabrication in the 2002 post-Godhra riot cases. Speaking at the launch of the Marathi book ‘Jagala Pokharnari Davi Walvi’ (World-weakening Leftist Termites), Pandit, who had previously served as a professor at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, emphasized the significance of narrative power in retaining political influence.
Pandit reminisced about her early association with RSS-affiliated groups, proudly declaring herself a Hindu and asserting her alignment with the RSS. She emphasized that a substantial shift in ideological conflict between Leftist and RSS perspectives had occurred since 2014.
As the JNU VC, she recounted her decision to introduce the national flag and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph on the campus premises, despite opposition. Pandit reminded dissenters that they were benefiting from taxpayer-funded meals on the campus, urging them to show respect to the national symbols.
She expressed her dismay at the name of Nalanda University in Bihar, suggesting it be changed. Pandit also extolled India’s ancient civilization as feminist, nature-centric, and unparalleled, positioning Draupadi as the pioneer of feminism, surpassing even French philosopher Simone De Beauvoir.
The event’s attendees responded with enthusiasm, echoing her pride in Hindu identity with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Pandit concluded that narrative power is imperative for political success in contemporary India.
