JNU Ram Navami violence to 'tukde-tukde' image: VC Santishree Pandit on recent controversy

Days after violence broke out at the Jawaharlal Nehru University on the occasion of Ram Navami, the institute's vice chancellor said that the results of a proctoral inquiry are awaited to ascertain the cause.

Students associated with Left parties, and RSS' student wing ABVP reportedly clashed on April 10. The Left group claimed ABVP members attacked them for cooking chicken on the Hindu festival of Ram Navami. Meanwhile, ABVP claimed that Left members disrupted and attacked their Ram Navami prayer event.

Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said that JNU is a democratic, nationalistic institute, and she wants to change the incorrect perception that the university houses "tukde-tukde" gangs. She said, "I want to correct the public perception that we are tukde-tukde....after I've taken over, I've not seen anybody talking like that. We are as nationalistic as anybody else. JNU is a free university. We respect individuals' choices. It's a melting pot of all identities. Young people have opinions and we appreciate diversity and dissent but let's not end up having violence."