In her address, Pandit responded to an inquiry regarding the absence of religious studies courses in Maharashtra's universities compared to JNU. She highlighted that while JNU offers centres dedicated to Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain studies, Maharashtra's institutions lack similar programs. Pandit then commented on SPPU's ideological stance, stating, "I want to say that SPPU is more leftist than JNU; it's just not as visible." She further elaborated that her tenure at SPPU equipped her with the resilience required to manage JNU effectively, noting, "People are surprised how I manage JNU, which is considered leftist, so peacefully. But I tell them—I was trained at SPPU. If you have training from SPPU, you can work anywhere."
Pandit's remarks have elicited varied reactions from the academic community. Former SPPU Vice-Chancellor Nitin Karmalkar refuted her characterization, emphasizing that ideological divisions have not been a part of SPPU's culture. He stated, "We never had such divisions based on ideology on campus. With over 4,000 people from diverse ideological backgrounds, SPPU has always thrived on peaceful coexistence."
During her lecture, Pandit also addressed the challenges of leading JNU, an institution often perceived as a bastion of leftist ideology. She remarked that assuming leadership at JNU necessitates courage, especially given the university's diverse and dynamic intellectual environment. Pandit pointed out that while JNU's emblem incorporates elements like a lamp, a lotus, and a rosebud—symbols rooted in Hindu imagery—the university lacked an official motto. She took the initiative to introduce "Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya" as JNU's guiding principle.
Reflecting on her professional journey, Pandit underscored the significance of her experience at SPPU in shaping her administrative approach at JNU. She joined SPPU's Department of Politics and Public Administration in 1991 and held various positions, including General Secretary of the SPPU Teachers' Association from 1996 to 2009, as well as membership in the university's senate and management council. Her extensive tenure at SPPU, she suggested, provided her with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities associated with leading an institution like JNU.
In addition to her comments on institutional ideologies, Pandit emphasized the need to bolster the Indian knowledge system from the school level and promote local languages. She advocated for a more robust narrative to counteract leftist perspectives, stating, "Just economic power is not enough. Political power should be supported by narrative power. For the last 10 years, we have had our government, yet the leftist ecosystem continues. Right-wingers should write more to strengthen narrative power."