JNU VC Shantishree On Jawaharlal Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Shantishree D Pandit has said that equality in religion, language and ‘dress code’ does not work in India, because this country is not only for a particular community. For this he also gave the examples of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
According to the report of news agency PTI, Pandit said that educational institutions should respect individual choices and girl students who want to wear hijab should be allowed to do so.
Said this about Hindi
Shantishree D Pandit said, “I do not agree on uniformity in religion, caste or language. One language should not be imposed. If some people want to change it (the official language) to Hindi in some states then they can, but it will be difficult in the south. In eastern India, even in Maharashtra, I do not think Hindi will be acceptable.
,‘Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi were not idiots’
The Vice Chancellor said, “I would say that Hindi can be there but only one language should not be imposed.” Both (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Indira Gandhi were not fools when they talked about the three-language formula, because in India, uniformity in any form does not work.
She was responding to a question regarding the demands of making Hindi the national language and the main medium of instruction. He said, “Language is a sensitive issue. Everyone should be careful about this.
Pandit said, “I believe everyone should be multilingual because in India we celebrate cultural diversity. All languages are good. I am not against any language, but for me I am most comfortable in English.
,Dress code in educational institutions should be a personal choice’
When asked about his views on ‘dress code’ in educational institutions, Pandit said that it should be a personal choice. He said, “I am against dress code. I think there should be openness. If someone wants to wear hijab, it is their choice and if someone does not want to wear it, they should not be forced.
Pandit said, “In JNU, people wear shorts and some people also wear traditional clothes. This is a matter of their choice. As long as they don’t force me to do it, I don’t have a problem.