FIR against Punjabi University VC, 3 profs after attempt to bury Mahan Kosh

A day after students discovered Punjabi University staff allegedly digging pits to bury error-ridden copies of the revered ‘Mahan Kosh’, the Patiala police today registered a case against Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor, three professors and some unidentified persons.

The Urban Estate police have registered a case against Punjabi University VC Jagdeep Singh, Dean (Academics) Jaswinder Singh Brar, Registrar Devinder Singh, in-charge publication bureau Harjinderpal Singh Kalra and others.

The accused have been booked under Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which refers to injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class. Any violation carries an imprisonment of two years, or fine, or both.

The FIR was registered on a complaint filed by student leaders Manwinder Singh, Nirmaljeet Singh, Yadvinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sahildeep Singh, Kuldip Singh and Balwinder Singh. No arrests were made till the filing of the report. The atmosphere at the university remained tense.

On Thursday, student leaders held a protest at Punjabi University after the alleged attempt by some university officials to destroy the copies of the ‘Mahan Kosh’ by burying them in a pit filled with water. Student organisations were outraged after seeing large pits dug in the university and copies of Mahan Kosh thrown into those and filled with water.

Seeing the matter escalating, university officials reached the spot and the students’ protest continued.

In May, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan had directed the Punjabi University authorities to correct the mistakes in the Mahan Kosh and reprint its revised version. The directions came after Sandhwan held an in-depth discussion with the Dean of Punjabi University and senior officials of the university and the Language Department, Punjab, at Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat pertaining to making corrections in the recent editions of the Mahan Kosh, which was compiled by late Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha.

The Mahan Kosh, also known as the Encyclopaedia of Sikh Literature, was originally compiled by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha over 14 years with the first edition published on April 13, 1930.

Punjabi University has worked on republishing Mahan Kosh, but faced some controversy due to reported inconsistencies in recent editions. The university was advised to collaborate with experts to ensure accuracy in future publications.

Akal Takht forms probe committee

The Mahan Kosh-burying incident at Punjabi University has evoked sharp reaction from Sikh bodies.

To investigate this matter, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, constituted a committee which will submit a detailed report on the sequence of events to Akal Takht within a week.

This committee will also review and report on the current arrangements for the preservation of rare literature and scriptures in the Dr Ganda Singh Punjabi Reference Library of the university as well as the condition of the library building.

Slamming the university for showing disrespect towards the Gurshabad, which contained Shabads from the Guru Granth Sahib, Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldip Singh Gargaj directed the Punjabi University’s administration to hold Akhand Path along with ardas (Sikh prayer) for forgiveness at the gurdwara inside the campus.