Overview
- JNUSU reported 2,181 of 2,409 ballots (90.54%) favored Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit stepping down, with 207 for her continuation and 21 invalid.
- Voting was conducted on March 10 at 16 booths across campus and was overseen by former members of the JNU Teachers’ Association, according to the student union.
- The referendum followed weeks of protests over alleged casteist remarks attributed to the VC and earlier suspensions of student leaders linked to a November 2025 library protest.
- Student leaders said they will invite retired judges, lawyers, academicians and activists to a campus public hearing on March 16–17 and will issue a chargesheet alleging corruption, nepotism and casteism.
- Some faculty and students publicly questioned the vote’s legality and transparency, noting any removal would require action by statutory authorities; the university did not immediately respond to requests for comment.