Kurukshetra: The birth of a university
By Raghuvendra Tanwar

THE name of Kurukshetra University has unfortunately been dragged into an unsavoury and avoidable controversy for the second time since its founding in 1957. However, the situation this time is somewhat different from what it was in 1976 when under the influence of the then Defence Minister Bansi Lal, the Haryana Government changed the University’s name to B.N. Chakravarty University. Wide spread anger and agitation had then followed. So spontaneous was the response that even Mrs Chakravarty is believed to have sought restoration of the University’s original name. Fortunately, better sense prevailed and the decision was undone.

The present Chief Minister’s announcement of renaming Kurukshetra University as Guru Gobind Singh Kurukshetra University has understandably come as a surprise, it is said, even to his close associates. It is well known that Devi Lal was at the forefront in demanding the restoration of the original name in 1976.

But one thing must be understood clearly that the opposition to the renaming of Kurukshetra University is not because of the name of Guru Gobind Singh. The Tenth Guru is a name revered across religious boundaries. Guru Gobind symbolises all that is good and virtuous in human existence. He gave to India not only a new and virtuous concept of living — the Khalsa-- but in essence symbolises the struggle and victory of good over evil. Not only in every Sikh home but in millions of others his handsome portraits adorn prime spots. The great son of India represents patriotism, dignity, freedom of faith and self respect, besides valour and courage.

In this sense at least the government is perfectly well placed with its intentions of honouring the great Guru even though we all know that there is no honour ordinary mortals can bestow on names like Guru Gobind Singh. But perhaps the process needs to be reconsidered. The point is why involve such a great name in a controversy by linking it to that of another great name of India’s historical, religious and cultural emergence — Kurukshetra. The decision to name the proposed university at Kurukshetra as Kurukshetra University has a long story.

In 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru visited India’s largest refugee camp at Nilokheri. Astonished to see the vastness of the camp and the magnitude of suffering, Nehru asked S.K. Dey (later Union Minister who was then involved in social work), "Are you trying to build a metropolis here?" "No", replied Dey, "A university to show the road to new India". Nilokheri, less than 20 km from the present site of the University, was not destined to have a university. As India enjoyed the first rays of freedom, resurgence and idealism were in the air. On May 6, 1953, a group of Members of Parliament met and got registered a Kurukshetra Renovation Association. The members included Lakshmi Kant Mitra, J.M. Gowda, Seshagiri Rao and N.R. Seshiash.

On August 22, 1953, C.P.N. Singh, Governor, Punjab, paid his first visit to Kurukshetra. He participated in prayers at the ‘Thanesar Tirth’. On the banks of ‘Sanheyat Sarovar’, the president of the Panchayat Brahmin Kurukshetra, Raja Ram, briefed the Governor on the significance of Kurukshetra. The Tribune, (August 24, 1953) in fact reported the Governor’s speech which had incidentally the first reference to his intention of setting up a Sanskrit College at Kurukshetra. This idea appears to have caught the imagination of people that then mattered. The loss of the prestigious Oriental College, Lahore, after Partition further added to the need of such an institution. "What better place", the Governor believed "than Kurukshetra in view of the concept of an oriental studies institution." However, the idea from the outset developed into that of a university and not just a college. Taxila, Nalanda , Vishwa Bharti were cited as inspirations.

On April 14, 1955, the Kurukshetra Renovation Association resolved to pursue the government of Punjab to name the proposed university at Kurukshetra as the "Gita University so that it may gradually develop into a great seat of international culture and a fountainhead of nationalism ..." The committee had also resolved, "the proposed university be established in the land of the Holy Bhagavadagita".

As the word spread in the sleepy little town of Thanesar (population 10,000), it created quite a stir. The Panchayat Brahman Kurukshetra wanted the proposed university to be set on the banks of the holy sarovars. But another influential group led by Girdhari Lal Puri and Swami Satyanand wanted it at Jyotisar, 6 kms way. Both pleaded their case in the ‘Press’, allegations were made and answered in pamphlets. The Jyotisar Mandir group even filed a suit in a court at Karnal. The Panchayat Brahmin functionaries mainly Satya Prakash and B.K. Muztar were made respondents. The case was dismissed on November 5, 1955.

The government‘s mind, however, from the beginning was inclined to about the same spot (as proposed by the Panchayat Brahmin) where the university stands today. On December 30, 1954, Governor C.P.N. Singh directed G.S. Kahlon, ICS, Commissioner, Ambala Division, to order officers concerned to improve the cleanliness of Kurukshetra in view of the proposed new university. On February 5, 1955, the Governor presided over a Kurukshetra University sub-committee meeting at Chandimandir rest house.

Interestingly, then Chief Minister Pratap Singh Kairon even after approving the idea took quite some time to develop a fancy for it. There are indications that he went along mainly because Governor C.P.N. Singh was a personal friend of Prime Minister Nehru, who had already cleared the proposal.

A committee of distinguished educationists was constituted to study the proposal, name etc. in detail. It comprised of Ujjal Singh, former Finance and Education Minister, Punjab, Diwan Anand Kumar, Vice-Chancellor,Punjab University, Trilochan Singh, DPI, Punjab, Ramaswami Aiyar, Vice-Chancellor, B.H.U., P.V. Kane, Bhai Jodha Singh, D.B. Gundappa, Surya Kant and Vishwa Bandhu.

It was this committee that defined the scope of the university, suggested its name and drafted the Bill for establishment of a teaching and residential university. The committee also felt that it would be inadvisable to isolate the teaching of Sanskrit from other main stream subjects.

The whole issue, however, is best summed up in the words of Dr. A.C. Joshi, the first Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, "Many persons felt that we should put up at Kurukshetra

an institution which should help to revive the ancient glory of this historic place..." Dr. Joshi went on to say, "These were some of the vague ideas that floated in the minds of various people in the winter of 1954-55." This seems the most acceptable version. More specifically, the times and attitudes were idealistic and Kurukshetra, with its great cultural, religious and historical significance and its coincidental geo-strategic situation, seemed to fit the bill fairly well.

January 11, 1957, was a cold and wintry day in Kurukshetra. It had rained, the previous night. The roof of the pandal set up for the foundation-laying ceremony was dripping. Yet the whole town turned up to welcome Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India, as did thousands from neighbouring villages. Kurukshetra had indeed restored some of its past glory.

The President said: "... The place you have selected for locating the university has its own importance... Kurukshetra is connected with many an important past event associated as it is with a host of religious and cultural traditions. The decision of the Punjab government to set up this University is indeed praiseworthy. It perforce reminds us of the times when Punjab was the home of great scholars."

C.P.N. Singh, the Governor of Punjab, said: "It is a great day in the history of Punjab and indeed of the country. Our effort in the University will be to produce a synthesis of old and new ... steer clear of extremism, bigotry, puritanism, frivolity and conceit. It is my fervent hope that Kurukshetra, which is already hallowed by great cultural associations and memorable traditions, will become a unique educational and cultural centre in India and the world."

Pratap Singh Kairon, Chief Minister, Punjab said on the occasion, "Kurukshetra was the earliest and most famed centre of literary and cultural activity up to the time of Harsha. The Punjab government is only following in the footsteps of Harshwardhan by locating a university at Kurukshetra."

K.M. Munshi, the scholarly Governor of UP,too, was in Kurukshetra on the day, "The foundation stone-laying of Kurukshetra University is a historic step taken by India.... The nation has to rebuild now every aspect her life in freedom. The revitalisation of our ancient heritage is vital. The President symbolises the high principles of the Gita... it is the fitness of things that he is laying the foundation of this great university."

One may approve or disapprove the motives of the government or its so-called political objectives, the fact remains the choice of the site as well the name of Kurukshetra University were both influenced by religious and cultural sentiments. In this context alone the government has all the reason to tread carefully.

It must also be remembered that it was the cultural, religious and historical significance of the name Kurukshetra that prompted many families to donate land generously to the cause of the then fund-starved infant university. Among such donations the biggest of 512 bighas of agricultural land came from village Lukhi. Extensive urban property was donated in Shimla by Pandit Thakur Dutt Sharma. Land was also donated to the University by many other villages like Sultania, Cheeka, Kakeri, Bhoona, Arnauli, Agaundh, Peedal, Pharal, Tatiana, Pistana etc. The land where the university stands today, but for parts which were Muslim evacuee property, was mostly owned by residents of Dara Kalan (Thanesar) and only small parts were paid for, the rest was donated. So much so, the first office of the University was in fact opened in a building called the Gita Bhawan situated on the banks of the Sanheyat Sarovar. This building too had been donated by the Kurukshetra Restoration Society.