JNU teachers and students seek VC’s removal over recruitment allegations

JNU teachers and students have called for the removal of vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, alleging irregularities in faculty recruitment and other university processes.

At a Press Club of India briefing on Thursday, the JNU Teachers’ Association and JNU Students’ Union asked President Droupadi Murmu, the university’s visitor and chancellor, to order an independent, time-bound inquiry. Their eight-point charter also sought scrutiny of the vice-chancellor’s appointment, Career Advancement Scheme promotions, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell and alleged changes to screening outcomes.

The university administration denied wrongdoing. It said JNU had held more than 400 interviews and filled over 200 positions since Pandit took charge in February 2022, describing this as the largest recruitment exercise in its history. Nearly 70% of those appointed belonged to reserved and marginalised categories, it said, adding that it had received no candidate complaints about the interviews.

The administration said selection committees comprising subject experts finalise candidates, with the Academic Council approving the names, and maintained that appointments were made on merit. AAP MP Sanjay Singh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas said they would raise the concerns in the next Parliament session.