NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) wrote an open letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday seeking clarity on the Centre’s position regarding alleged controversial remarks on caste by JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
The teachers’ body said the vice-chancellor’s comments, made during a podcast which has been widely circulated online, were “shocking” and warranted a response from the Ministry of Education.
In the letter to the Union education minister, JNUTA argued that the remarks created an impression that the Centre shared or endorsed her views, especially as Pandit apparently referred to her political alignment with the ruling party while discussing her appointment.
The association reiterated its demand for Pandit’s removal from the post of vice-chancellor (V-C), noting that it had earlier made similar representations.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association said it had written thrice to the Visitor of Jawaharlal Nehru University over alleged caste discrimination, criticising the education ministry’s silence and raising concerns over recruitment, promotions, and remarks by V-C Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.