Savitribai Phule Pune University More ‘Leftist’ Than JNU, Says JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Pandit
Savitribai Phule Pune University More ‘Leftist’ Than JNU, Says JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Pandit
Pune: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Dr. Santishree Pandit described Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) as more “Leftist” than JNU, though it may not always be apparent. She credited her tenure at SPPU for preparing her to manage the reputed Delhi-based university.
Pandit made these remarks during the Vasudev Balwant Phadke memorial lecture series organized by the Maharashtra Education Society on Thursday. The lecture focused on the topic “The Indian Society in the New Age — Opportunities and Challenges.”
SPPU Shaped Her Leadership at JNU
Sharing her experience, Pandit said, “People often ask me how I manage to run an institution like JNU, known as a Left stronghold. My answer is that my training happened at Pune University. If one has trained at SPPU, they can work anywhere.”
Pandit, who served as a professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at SPPU before her appointment as JNU Vice-Chancellor in 2022, emphasized that her stint in Pune equipped her with the courage and experience needed to navigate the complexities of JNU.
SPPU More ‘Leftist’ Than JNU, Says Pandit
When asked why universities in Maharashtra do not offer faith-based courses, Pandit remarked, “JNU offers courses such as the Centre for Hindu Studies, Buddhist Studies, and Jain Studies. Interestingly, SPPU is more ‘Vampanthi’ (Leftist) than JNU, though it is not always visible.”
Her Impact on JNU’s Identity
Highlighting her contributions at JNU, Pandit shared, “JNU had no official motto earlier. The university emblem, featuring a lamp, a lotus bud, and a rosebud, reflects Hindu symbolism. I proposed and incorporated the motto ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya’ (lead me from darkness to light), which was unanimously accepted.”
First Woman Vice-Chancellor of JNU
Dr. Santishree Pandit made history in 2022 as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of JNU. Her leadership continues to spark discussions about academic ideology and institutional values.
