Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has firmly defended the central university's decision to suspend a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkiye's Inonu University, citing national security concerns. She stated that the administration chose to sever ties with a country that "supports terror and stabs India in the back."
"We have 98 MoUs with different countries. JNU teaches the Turkish language. The administration thought that we shouldn't have any relation with the country that supports terror and stabs India in the back. This is why I thought that it was important for us to stand with the Indian armed forces," Pandit said.
She stressed that every Indian citizen bears responsibility for national security, highlighting that JNU, being a fully taxpayer-funded institution, should remain loyal to the Indian state.
"Every civilian citizen is responsible for our national security... JNU is totally subsidised by the Indian taxpayer. Where should our loyalty lie? To the Indian state. The present chiefs of the armed and naval staff are JNU alumni. We salute them. JNU is always for the nation and our armed forces," she said.
Praising the political resolve behind the Indian Army's recent military actions, Pandit lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, particularly during the recently launched 'Operation Sindoor', which aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
"I congratulate the Indian Army and the Indian scientists because this is the first time a Prime Minister has shown political will. It is not that earlier we didn't have the technology, but the political will and decisive decision-making have to combine with your level. We had the capability, but I salute PM Narendra Modi for showing it to the world. The world is accepting today that India has airpower that is unmatched and they are made in India," she said.
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Reflecting on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Pandit condemned the incident as "barbaric," accusing Pakistan of being the primary sponsor of terrorism against India.
"There is absolutely involvement by Pakistan. No doubt about it. India has been the longest victim of terror. What they did that day was barbaric and must be condemned by every civilised country. No religion preaches this type of religious exclusivist obscurantism. It has to be condemned. I am very happy that we also retaliated with restraint and at our choosing. That is very important," she said.
Meanwhile, the suspension of the MoU comes as traders across India move to boycott Turkish products in response to Ankara's support for Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor'.
Farmer organisations in Himachal Pradesh have also urged Prime Minister Modi to impose a complete ban on the import of apples from Turkiye, demanding strict import duties and quality standards.
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