'Mahan Kosh' copies disposal row: PUTA appeals for withdrawal of FIR against V-C, others

Amid the controversy surrounding the alleged attempt to dispose of the error-ridden copies of the revered ‘Mahan Kosh’, the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) has expressed support for the university administration and called for the withdrawal of the FIR filed against Vice-Chancellor Jagdeep Singh and other officials.

The Patiala police had registered a case against the university's top leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor, for allegedly “digging pits to bury” error-ridden copies of ‘Mahan Kosh’.

In response, the V-C submitted a written apology, clarifying that there was no malicious intent behind the disposal. The university authorities are also conducting a ‘path’ at the varsity's gurdwara, seeking forgiveness for the incident.

Punjabi University row: 'Intent was noble, sought eco-friendly way to prevent misuse of flawed copies,' says V-C, apologises

PUTA president Dr Bhupinder Singh Virk stated: “One fact remains absolutely clear – there was never any intention on the part of the university administration to hurt the sentiments of any religious community. Whatever decisions were taken at the administrative level were guided not by malice, but by circumstances. An FIR, which in all fairness ought not to have been lodged, nevertheless came to be registered in this connection.”

“Since then, the matter has been amicably resolved between the university authorities and the students. In the larger interest of maintaining a peaceful and conducive academic environment, and above all, to prevent any irreparable academic loss to students, I, on behalf of PUTA and all the faculty members of the university, earnestly appeal to the government to kindly intervene and ensure that the FIR registered in this regard is withdrawn at the earliest,” he added.