Intellectuals appeal to unite against renaming college

 Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 22

A group of eminent scholars and lawyers has opposed the move to rename Delhi's Dyal Singh College and called upon intellectuals to unite for defeating the "nefarious designs" of those behind the move.

The governing body of the erstwhile evening college had, a few days ago, decided to change its name to Vande Mataram College, in a move that has drawn flak from various quarters.

In a joint statement, several academicians, including Sucha Singh Gill, Ranjit Singh Ghuman, HS Mehta, Swaranjit Mehta, Kanwaljit K Gill, Krishan Chand, Birinder Pal Singh and Harinder Kaur, senior journalist Sarbjit Dhaliwal and advocates RS Cheema, Joginder Singh, Manjit Singh Khehra and Chaudhary Harbhagwan Singh condemned the move calling it "most unfortunate" and "uncalled for".

"Changing the name of great visionary Dyal Singh Majithia is highly disturbing, immoral and unethical on the part of the college management," they said.

Recounting Dyal Singh Majithia's contribution, they said he was a true nationalist and patriot who donated his entire wealth to raise higher education institutions, leading English newspaper The Tribune and Punjab National Bank. "Born with progressive mind to serve the nation, society and the people, Dyal Singh Majithia donated his properties to set up institutions that played a crucial role in nation-building."

Demanding that the move to rename the college be shelved, they said the decision had hurt the sentiments of a large number of people. "The college management must apologise to those who hold Dyal Singh Majithia in high esteem due to his commitment to serve the larger interests of society," the statement said.

Roll back decision, demands Akal Takht 

Amritsar: The Akal Takht has demanded rollback of the decision by the Dyal Singh College governing body to rename the college to Vande Mataram College. Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said the management must revert its decision to avoid any "unpleasant repercussions". 

   On the management's justification that the decision was taken to "remind students of freedom struggle," he said, "Who else could be as patriotic as the Sikhs who sacrificed everything for the sake of freedom."

Move a criminal offence, says DSGMC

New Delhi: Taking forward the fight to retain the name of Dyal Singh College, the DSGMC on Wednesday urged the Delhi University Vice-Chancellor not to accord sanction to this "controversial, illegal, fraudulent proposal" to effect the change.   

 Citing the 1978 agreement between the university and Dyal Singh College Trust Society, DSGMC general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "It clearly states that after taking over by the university, the college will continue to be known as Dyal Singh College."

 The DSGMC secretary  said any move on change of name was a clear case of "breach of trust" by the governing body.