New Delhi: Uniformity in religion, language and dress code will not work in India as this country is not for any one particular community, says JNU Vice Chancellor Shantisree D Pandit.
Speaking to editors at the agency's headquarters here, Pandi said educational institutions should respect individual choice and allow those who wish to wear hijab to do so.
"I will not agree to uniformity in any religion, caste or language. Language should not be imposed. If some people want to change it (official language) to Hindi in some states, they can.But in the south, it will be difficult... In eastern India, even in Maharashtra, I don't think Hindi is acceptable," he said.
He said, "I would say that Hindi can happen but I don't think any single language should be imposed." Both (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Indira Gandhi were not fools to talk about the three-language formula, because there is no need for uniformity in India.'' It will not be bad in any way,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor was replying to a question about promoting Hindi as the national language and one of the main medium of instruction.He said, "Language is a sensitive issue, care must be taken. If you ask me, you should proceed slowly in having a language."
Pandit also said that only one identity and religion will not work in the country.
"I don't think any one religion will work here because these are personal issues but people at the top want to do this. As a university, we should be above all this. For us, it is important to gain knowledge.The nation is not for a particular community."
Emphasizing the need for multilingualism, Pandit said, "I believe everyone should be multilingual because in India we have to celebrate cultural diversity. All languages are good. I am not against any language but For me, I'm most comfortable in English."
Asked for his views on dress code in educational institutions, Pandit said it should be a personal choice."I'm against dress codes. I think (educational) spaces should be open. If someone wants to wear hijab it's their choice and if someone doesn't want to wear it, they shouldn't be forced to."
“In JNU, people wear shorts and there are people who wear traditional attire, it is their personal choice. As long as they do not force me to do so, I have no problem.,
Hijab controversy erupted in Karnataka in 2022 when six students were sent out of the government PU college in Udupi for attending classes wearing headscarves in violation of the prescribed dress code.
The then ruling BJP stood strongly in support of uniform rules to be adopted by educational institutions, citing the headscarf as a religious symbol, while the opposition Congress supported Muslim girls.
There were several instances in coastal Karnataka, where Muslim girl students attending colleges in hijab were not allowed to attend classes, and Hind boys responded to this with saffron shawls.
Stating that “food and clothing should be a personal choice”, Pandit said, “I don't think institutions should make any rules on this. Personal choice should be respected.,
Pandit called for balance in the representation of different cultural histories in the Indian education system.
Pointing out the lack of representation of some historical civilizations in the education system and the impact of westernisation, he said, "Ignorance cannot be the basis of our education system. Whatever is Indian is not bad. We have to have a sense of proportion. Take a little look at the condition of the West and India.
"In Indian history, there are more than 200 pages of Mughals ruling for less than 200 years. I am not against them, give them their place but we have the longest ruling Chola Empire globally, and They don't even have half." Page.
"Similarly, Maratha, Satavahana or Kakatiya, do you even know that such empires existed? This is due to ignorance. We need to be proud of our history. Don't look at it through religious prism, throw out religion "I just want to give everyone space," he said.''
Speaking to editors at the agency's headquarters here, Pandi said educational institutions should respect individual choice and allow those who wish to wear hijab to do so.
"I will not agree to uniformity in any religion, caste or language. Language should not be imposed. If some people want to change it (official language) to Hindi in some states, they can.But in the south, it will be difficult... In eastern India, even in Maharashtra, I don't think Hindi is acceptable," he said.
He said, "I would say that Hindi can happen but I don't think any single language should be imposed." Both (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Indira Gandhi were not fools to talk about the three-language formula, because there is no need for uniformity in India.'' It will not be bad in any way,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor was replying to a question about promoting Hindi as the national language and one of the main medium of instruction.He said, "Language is a sensitive issue, care must be taken. If you ask me, you should proceed slowly in having a language."
Pandit also said that only one identity and religion will not work in the country.
"I don't think any one religion will work here because these are personal issues but people at the top want to do this. As a university, we should be above all this. For us, it is important to gain knowledge.The nation is not for a particular community."
Emphasizing the need for multilingualism, Pandit said, "I believe everyone should be multilingual because in India we have to celebrate cultural diversity. All languages are good. I am not against any language but For me, I'm most comfortable in English."
Asked for his views on dress code in educational institutions, Pandit said it should be a personal choice."I'm against dress codes. I think (educational) spaces should be open. If someone wants to wear hijab it's their choice and if someone doesn't want to wear it, they shouldn't be forced to."
“In JNU, people wear shorts and there are people who wear traditional attire, it is their personal choice. As long as they do not force me to do so, I have no problem.,
Hijab controversy erupted in Karnataka in 2022 when six students were sent out of the government PU college in Udupi for attending classes wearing headscarves in violation of the prescribed dress code.
The then ruling BJP stood strongly in support of uniform rules to be adopted by educational institutions, citing the headscarf as a religious symbol, while the opposition Congress supported Muslim girls.
There were several instances in coastal Karnataka, where Muslim girl students attending colleges in hijab were not allowed to attend classes, and Hind boys responded to this with saffron shawls.
Stating that “food and clothing should be a personal choice”, Pandit said, “I don't think institutions should make any rules on this. Personal choice should be respected.,
Pandit called for balance in the representation of different cultural histories in the Indian education system.
Pointing out the lack of representation of some historical civilizations in the education system and the impact of westernisation, he said, "Ignorance cannot be the basis of our education system. Whatever is Indian is not bad. We have to have a sense of proportion. Take a little look at the condition of the West and India.
"In Indian history, there are more than 200 pages of Mughals ruling for less than 200 years. I am not against them, give them their place but we have the longest ruling Chola Empire globally, and They don't even have half." Page.
"Similarly, Maratha, Satavahana or Kakatiya, do you even know that such empires existed? This is due to ignorance. We need to be proud of our history. Don't look at it through religious prism, throw out religion "I just want to give everyone space," he said.''
