Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has come under criticism following remarks she made in a recent podcast, with the JNU Students Union (JNUSU) demanding her resignation.During the interaction, released earlier this week, Pandit questioned aspects of the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, which are designed to address discrimination, including caste-based exclusion.She remarked that communities cannot advance by “remaining permanent victims” or by “playing the victim card,” drawing comparisons between affirmative action measures abroad and similar provisions for Dalits in India.The comments sparked sharp reactions from the JNUSU, which described the statements as insensitive and dismissive of the historical injustices faced by Dalits and other marginalised groups.The union alleged that the remarks downplayed systemic caste discrimination and contradicted the spirit of policies meant to ensure inclusion on campuses. It announced plans for protests and called on the V-C to step down.Student representatives argued that such observations from the head of a central university could create an atmosphere of alienation for vulnerable communities, intensifying existing tensions between the JNU administration and sections of the student body over policy and governance matters.Responding to the backlash, Pandit said her views had been taken out of context, emphasising that her critique targeted certain ideological narratives and not any specific community. She also underlined her own Bahujan/OBC background, stating she had no intention of undermining the experiences of marginalised groups.