Chandigarh, Punjab: Remarks of a section of senators of Panjab University, Chandigarh, who had allegedly dubbed the SGPC as a “communal organisation” during their April 4 meeting, have invited the ire of SGPC chief Avtar Singh.
The SGPC chief has openly come out against a section of the university senate and alleged that the university had failed to propagate philosophy of Sikh Gurus and saints among the people of Punjab.
Certain senators had reportedly dubbed the SGPC as a “communal organisation” as Tajinder Kaur, Principal of the Guru Nanak College for Girls, Muktsar, had mentioned the SGPC’s name at the April 4 senate meeting .
The SGPC chief alleged that it seemed that certain senators of Panjab University were not well-versed with the history of the SGPC, which had passed through turbulent times and members of which had contributed their immense lot in the freedom struggle of India.
“Upon the creation of the SGPC in 1925, even Mahatma Gandhi had congratulated the Sikhs saying India had won freedom struggle after setting up of the SGPC. No other organisation could do as much for humanity as has been done by the SGPC by helping victims of Latur earthquake, people of tsunami-flooded areas and by running over 200 educational organisations across the country,” said Avtar Singh.
Criticising the “limited” role of the university in spreading education among rural masses, Avtar Singh alleged it was ironical that though 66 per cent of the population of Punjab lived in rural areas, only 3 per cent of rural students were admitted to the university. Has doors of the university been closed on people of rural Punjab?” questioned Avtar Singh, saying the university was sans any Punjabi typist for its correspondence course in Punjabi literature.
“The senators need to subject themselves to introspection and the Vice-Chancellor should ensure that no such thing which could hurt religious sensitivities of people should be allowed to be uttered in the future. The Guru Nanak chair, Baba Farid and Bhagat Ravidas Chair have been lying vacant and this speaks volumes about apathy of the varsity towards Punjab,” alleged Avtar Singh.
