The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) issues this statement to vehemently condemn the disproportionate police action and reported brutality directed toward protesting students on the evening of February 26, 2026. This state-sponsored violence occurred during a ten-day strike organized to demand the resignation of the Vice Chancellor following alleged casteist remarks, the enactment of the Rohith Act, and the immediate withdrawal of rustication orders against four office bearers of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU). AIDWA views these actions not merely as a local administrative issue, but as a grave assault on democratic rights, gender justice, and the fundamental integrity of our educational institutions.
The current unrest is the direct result of the university administration's refusal to engage in constructive dialogue. Following a mass march to the Ministry of Education on February 25, students and faculty reiterated their demand for the resignation of Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit regarding statements attributed to her concerning the Dalit community. It is deeply concerning that instead of addressing these legitimate grievances, the university administration has allegedly utilized external groups and the ABVP to incite violence and deployed law enforcement as a primary tool of intimidation against its own student body.
Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the account of events from the evening of February 26 is harrowing. Riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas against unarmed protesters, and upon reaching the university gates, students were subjected to physical assault. AIDWA is particularly outraged by the reports of female students being manhandled by male police officers in civilian attire—a blatant violation of established legal protocols. Furthermore, the detention of women students for over eight hours during the night stands in direct contravention of the law. While some students have been released, fourteen individuals remain under arrest, and three female office bearers face fabricated charges of "disturbing the peace," a transparent attempt to decapitate student leadership through judicial harassment.
Consequently, AIDWA demands the immediate and unconditional resignation of Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the immediate revocation of all rustication orders against JNUSU office bearers. We further demand the unconditional release of all detained students, the dismissal of all fabricated charges, and a high-level formal investigation into the police officers responsible for the physical harassment of female students.
In response to this systemic repression, AIDWA announces that it will launch a nationwide protest to mobilize democratic-minded citizens and civil society organizations against this outrageous violation of fundamental rights. We will not remain silent while the safety and dignity of students are sacrificed to shield administrative failure. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the JNU student community and call upon the nation to join us in this struggle for justice.
