‘Political power requires narrative power’: JNU V-C at Indian knowledge systems conference

The three-day conference, from July 10 to 12, seeks to explore India’s traditional systems of philosophy, science, and art, and how they can be integrated into contemporary education and policy frameworks.

On Thursday, Dhankhar wrote on social media platform X that “Indian Knowledge Systems is a means to convert contemporaneous challenges, including those emanating from disruptive technologies, into opportunities. With an enviable development trajectory in the last few years, Bharat has emerged as the most aspirational global nation. Indian Knowledge Systems need fullest unleashing and exploitation to satiate our youth demographic dividend.”

He added in his post, “The wisdom of the past does not obstruct innovation; rather, it inspires it. The metaphysical can speak to the material. Spiritual insight can coexist with scientific precision.”

Dhankhar said at JNU: “Bharat today is no longer a nation with potential. Bharat today is bold, confident and continually on the rise in recent years.

He also underlined that the country should not succumb to external influences. “Bharat need not be on the back foot on narratives and calibrations from outside. Our polity must avoid being prey to such orchestrated, sinister designs. Our Knowledge Systems ordain an uncompromising commitment to Nationalism.”

Calling JNU a space that promotes “excellence with equity and equality, innovation with inclusion and integrity,” Pandit said the conference aims to produce path-breaking research. “We hope this first conference will come out with path-breaking papers and will form the basis for any systematic study of Indian knowledge systems. It will also help build narrative power when the Prime Minister’s vision is to make a Viksit Bharat.”

Meanwhile, the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) staged a protest. In a statement, it said, “On the 14th day of the indefinite hunger strike, AISA joined JNUSU’s protest demonstration on the occasion of the visit of the Vice President of India. JNUSU President, Comrade Nitish Kumar… led the student community in the march.”

Members of the elected student union are on a hunger strike, demanding automatic extension of hostel accommodation rights for research scholars who have received academic extensions to complete their PhDs.

Late on Thursday evening, the JNU administration said in a statement, “It is a matter of great honour for the JNU community to host the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar ji, and Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal ji, at the First Annual Academic Conference on Indian Knowledge Systems… Unfortunately, a few students attempted to disrupt the proceedings and tried to block the cavalcade of the Hon’ble Vice President. Such actions not only violate the principles of democratic expression but also tarnish the image of the University.”

While affirming respect for peaceful protest, it stated that “it strongly discourages any form of unlawful or disruptive behaviour” and has directed its Security Branch to submit a detailed report.