Lecture row: PU officials meet Jathedar

Chandigarh: A proposed lecture on Sikh history, scheduled for Monday at Panjab University (PU), has run into controversy after a student organisation opposed the participation of an RSS functionary, citing a 2004 ‘hukumnama' from Akal Takht cautioning against the organisation's ‘involvement in Sikh religious matters'.At least two PU officials met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj on Saturday over the controversy, say sources, adding that representatives of student organisation SATH were present at the meeting.
The event also features BJP parliamentary board member Iqbal Singh Lalpura, a former chairperson of National Commission for Minorities. Senior Sikh functionaries have conveyed similar concerns to university officials, even as the administration held a meeting with the organisers on the issue on Saturday evening.Sources said the meeting with the Jathedar discussed concerns raised by SATH and possible ways to address the issue. During the interaction, it was suggested that academics working on Sikh history be included in the programme, and a scholar from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, was recommended as part of a possible way forward. The lecture, titled ‘Sacrifice, Equality, and Moral Authority: Sikh History, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and the Panj Pyare in the Indian Civilisational Ethos', is scheduled at the Law Auditorium on Monday.According to the event details circulated by the organisers, Lalpura is slated to deliver the keynote address, while Banveer Singh, Uttar Kshetriya Pracharak Pramukh of RSS, has been listed as the chief guest. Panjab University vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig is expected to be present. Student organisation SATH has opposed the event in its current form and submitted a memorandum to the university authorities referencing the 2004 directive issued from Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The ‘hukumnama' states that RSS and its affiliate organisations "should not interfere in Sikh religious matters" and urges Sikhs to "remain vigilant against attempts to reinterpret Sikh history or institutions".Members of SATH, including PUCSC vice-president Ashmeet have circulated videos on social media, insisting that the event should not take place in its present format. In the evening, dean of student welfare Prof YK Rawal, history professor Jasbir Singh and hostel warden Harbhinder Singh held a meeting with the organisers, including former PU Campus Students Council president Anurag Dalal and research scholar Vishal Malik. Sources say the organisers have refused to make any change to the event.The history lecture campus programme's organisers have approached police, while PU authorities have written to the area SHO (station housr officer) and DSP (deputy superintendent of police) informing them about the event and the emerging objections. Police presence is likely on campus on the day of the lecture.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !