New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Thursday described the university as the “most nationalist campus” after the inauguration of two new academic centres and announced the launch of an annual national dialogue platform, titled Sindhudurg Dialogue.
The centres were inaugurated at the JNU Convention Centre by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of the state’s Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant, the JNU VC, Chhatrapati Babajiraje Bhosale of the Tanjore dynasty and senior university officials.
In her address, Pandit called the occasion a reflection of the JNU’s commitment to “equality, quality and innovation” under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. She announced the launch of a new academic platform, Sindhudurg Samvad (Sindhudurg Dialogue), envisioned as an annual dialogue series bringing together scholars, thinkers and policymakers.
Highlighting the new centres’ academic significance, she said, “The present state government is giving importance to Marathi, which has been declared by the Centre as one of the classical languages, also because Marathi is a language of great repute and known for its literature.” Pandit also praised the richness of Marathi literature, drama and poetry, and urged students from Maharashtra and across the country to consider the JNU for higher studies through CUET-PG and UGC-NET.
Taking a dig at the Left, Pandit remarked, “They were in power for so many years but never appointed a woman as the vice chancellor,” asserting that the JNU now stands for inclusive growth and merit-based access.
The Kusumagraj Special Centre, named after the celebrated Jnanpith awardee poet Kusumagraj, will focus on teaching and research in Marathi language, literature and cultural heritage.
The Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre will serve as a dedicated hub for strategic studies, with a special emphasis on indigenous military traditions and the legacy of the Maratha empire. It aims at contributing to military history, strategic policy and nation-building from an Indic perspective.
Fadnavis welcomed the academic initiative, calling it a matter of pride that Shivaji Maharaj’s strategic legacy would now be studied in a premier institution like the JNU.
“UNESCO has recognised 12 forts of Shivaji Maharaj as part of the Maratha Military Landscape. His every battle was a lesson in strategic foresight. He instilled the spirit of Swarajya and his military tactics are globally respected,” he said.
“Language is a means of communication, not discord. Every Marathi person is proud of his mother tongue, but also respects other Indian languages. The royal seal of Shivaji Maharaj now finds a place in Delhi, just as it flies on the flag of our Navy,” Fadnavis added. He also announced that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be installed on the JNU campus.
Samant termed the establishment of the centres a “historic step” and announced that a “village of Marathi books” will be set up in Kashmir. He also called for the creation of a global Marathi community and extended an invitation to the upcoming World Marathi Conference in Nashik.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including MPs Smita Wagh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Medha Kulkarni, Hemant Savara, Anil Bonde, Ajit Gopchhade, former MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Resident Commissioner R Vimla and senior JNU faculty.
Meanwhile, the event witnessed protests by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), which opposed the visit of Fadnavis, citing concerns over the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill and the “saffronisation” of higher education.
The union alleged that the protest was met with a police crackdown and accused the university administration of allowing the Delhi Police to enter the campus and manhandle students. JNUSU president Nitish Kumar said, “This protest is not against the centres but against those who silence voices of opposition in Maharashtra.” Other student leaders criticised the visit, calling it “a betrayal of the JNU’s legacy of critical thinking and democratic resistance”. PTI MHS RC
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