Faculty and students’ bodies of Punjabi University wade into Gurdas Mann row

PATIALA: The controversy over singer Gurdas Mann’s remarks about Hindi has entered Punjabi University,

Patiala

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A section of student bodies have demanded revocation of honorary DLit degree awarded to him in 2012 for his contribution to Punjabi language and culture. Some faculty members have also objected to the singer saying that though he loved his mother tongue Punjabi, he backs the idea of one language for binding the nation together.

Student Youth Federation of India (SYFI) general secretary Yadvinder Singh said Punjabi was their mother tongue and the singer had hurt their sentiments by rooting for “Hindustani language”. Former president of SYFI Harvinder Singh said, “We have submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor seeking the cancellation of the honour given to Mann.” He alleged, “The singer had no love left for Punjabi language.”

Another student body PRSU’s president Rashpinder Singh said, “Mann should seek an apology for his remarks. He earned name and fame by singing songs in Punjabi. Now, he is willing to get some other language imposed on the state, which is really shameful.”

Sri Guru Granth Sahib department head Prof Sarabjinder Singh said, “Mann should seek unconditional apology. India is a country with 24 different languages. He should have looked into the history before commenting on the matter.” Former Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi said, “We are living in a multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-cultural country and diversity is being killed by projecting supremacy of one language over all the others. It is against federalism and the Indian Constitution. Mann had made his career with Punjabi songs and making such remarks now is distasteful.”

Meanwhile, a college lecturer from Chandigarh, Pandit Rao Dharennavar, took out a march in Patiala and prayed at

Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib

that better sense may prevail on Gurdas Mann. He carried a banner against the expletive used by Mann against a protester and demanded that the singer tender an apology.

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