JNU VC says ‘Victim Card’ remarks misinterpreted amid row

New Delhi | Desk: Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice Chancellor Shantishree Dhullipudi Pandit has clarified her recent controversial statement regarding Dalits and the "victim card." Following the uproar over her statement during an interview with an English media outlet, the Vice Chancellor has claimed that her words are being misinterpreted.

Describing herself as a part of the Bahujan Samaj, she said she was merely referring to the arguments and counter-arguments made by a section of society.

The controversy began with an interview on February 16, in which the Vice Chancellor described the University Grants Commission's 2026 anti-discrimination rules as "irrational." She stated that progress cannot be achieved by constantly playing the victim card."

She compared it to the Black Lives Matter movement, describing it as a "temporary high."

Following this statement, the JNU Students' Union called it racist and demanded her resignation. Students allege that this comment promotes a sense of exclusion against Dalit, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Backward Class students.

In her defense, Shantishree Pandit clarified that she was not targeting any community, but rather highlighting the ongoing debate between the "woke" ideology and its opponents.

However, this is not the first time the Vice Chancellor has made such a comment; earlier in March 2024, she had said that for the sake of self-respect, the "victim card" should be stopped and merit should be prioritized over reservation.