Row over interaction with RSS chief: SGPC removes GNDU VC from jathedar appointment panel
The video of the interaction shows VC telling Bhagwat about education initiatives taken by the university during an event 'Gyan Sabha – Education for Viksit Bharat', organised by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham at BN Bahadur Institute of Management Sciences (BNBIMS) in Manasagangotri, Mysuru. The event focused on the role of education in building a developed India. Bhagwat was the chief guest at the July 28 event.
After the video went viral on social media, several Sikh organisations have raised objections and approached the SGPC with complaints and concerns.
'Prof Karamjit Singh has been removed from the panel as he has hurt the Sikh sentiments. After receiving objections from the Sikh community over it, the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has removed him from the panel,' Partap Singh, secretary of the gurdwara body, said.
Meanwhile, Akal Takht has also received complaints from Sikh bodies, including Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale and United Sikh Students Federation, against the VC, but there is no official word from the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.
In the evening, the public relations department of the university issued a clarification on behalf of the VC, which said the invite for the event was issued on behalf of Amrita University, Kochi.
The GNDU spokesperson said that during this gathering, all the participating VCs shared information about the work being done at their respective universities with the president of the association.
'Guru Nanak Dev University VC also shared details with the association's president about efforts being made to digitise the Punjabi language to make it more accessible in the modern era, the environmental initiatives inspired by Guru Har Rai Ji, and the establishment of a Sikh Chair at the university', the official statement said.
'Various misleading statements are being made based on incomplete information about this programme, which are far from the truth. It is noteworthy that the invitations to the chief guest and other participants were issued by the administration of Amrita University, Kochi, and the Guru Nanak Dev University VC had no role in the invitation process'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: 9th Guru's martyrdom: DSGMC calls for joint commemoration with SGPC
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Saturday called for a united effort with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka In a letter addressed to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka said the commemoration functions should be held jointly, reflecting the spirit of Panthic unity and honouring Guru Teg Bahadur's supreme sacrifice. 'Guru Teg Bahadur was martyred in Delhi for protection and religious freedom of Hindu religion. There are reports of separate events being planned by the DSGMC and the SGPC. Such a fragmented approach is not befitting the legacy of Guru Sahib,' Kalka stated in his letter. He reminded the SGPC of the past collective efforts that united the Sikh community — the 300th anniversary of Khalsa Foundation Day at Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib) in 1999, the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev, the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019 at Sultanpur Lodhi and the tercentenary of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib at Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded, in 2008. Kalka also requested that the commemoration include remembrance of Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala Ji, who were martyred alongside Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Battling land-pooling protests, Mann says will meet farmers
Chamkaur Sahib (Ropar): After paying obeisance at Katalgarh Sahib gurdwara, announced that meetings on the land pooling policy would be held with people, including farmers. Replying to a media query about resistance to the policy, Mann said that it was not dictatorial. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The chief minister described the land pooling policy as a progressive step taken for the promotion of planned and sustainable development. He assured that feedback from all stakeholders, including farmers, would be considered. Underlining the involvement of all stakeholders, CM Mann said that all decisions would be taken in consultation with people. "The policy has already been explained in details. In the days to come, meetings will be held with people, including farmers, about the land pooling policy. There is no dictatorship," he said. A week ago, Anandpur Sahib MP Malwinder Singh Kang, former chief spokesman of AAP's Punjab unit, posted on 'X', urging his party leaders to "earn the trust" of farmers regarding this policy. He suggested that the govt do this by communicating with farmers and farm organisations on this matter. However, hours after expressing his reservations about the land pooling policy on his social media handle, Kang deleted the post following backlash. His tweet was shared by opposition leaders too. Responding to another media query, the chief minister alleged that Congress leaders had previously patronised gangsters, which emboldened criminal elements. He noted that those very Congress leaders were now facing threats to their families from the same criminals they once supported. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders were now facing the consequences of their past misdeeds against the state and its people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the gurdwara on Saturday, the chief minister said he felt blessed to serve people of Punjab and usher in a new era of unprecedented development. He said that his govt was following in the footsteps of the Sikh Gurus to serve people and was committed to accelerate development of the state. BOX: Patients left in lurch Patients suffered due to the absence of doctors at the district hospital, Ropar as two medical teams, each comprising three doctors and four paramedical staff, were deputed since 7am ahead of the CM's visit on Saturday. However, the teams were later informed that the CM was scheduled to visit at 11am. The CM, however, reached around 1pm to pay obeisance at Katalgarh Sahib gurdwara. The hospital is currently facing a shortage of around 30 doctors. Approximately 50 doctors, including six under NRHM and 13 trainee doctors hired for a year, are in place, a doctor said on condition of anonymity.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
BJP Rewards Ex-Congress Ministers With Key Posts
New Delhi: Two former Congress ministers, who switched sides ahead of the Lok Sabha polls last year and won assembly elections on BJP tickets earlier this year, were rewarded and made chairpersons of two separate development boards. Raj Kumar Chauhan, who won from his traditional seat of Mangolpuri, was made the chairperson of the Delhi Village Development Board. Gandhi Nagar MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely was made the chairperson of the Trans Yamuna Development Board. Sources said the decision was taken in the cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Rekha Gupta, earlier this week, and a gazette notification is likely to be issued soon. The other members of the boards will be nominated by govt. The cabinet decisions mentioned that the two boards will advise govt on issues related to infrastructure development in those areas. Their appointment to the boards marks their return to govt after a gap of 12 years. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Lovely was made a minister by then chief minister Sheila Dikshit in 2003. He held several important portfolios during his 10 years in office, including education, transport and revenue. Chauhan, who was brought into the cabinet by Dikshit in a reshuffle in 2001 during her first term as CM, remained a minister for 12 years and held PWD , irrigation and flood control, and revenue portfolios. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Both bring with them vast experience in governance, which will come in handy while working as the chairpersons of the village development board and Trans Yamuna Development Board, respectively. Lovely quit Congress in protest against the alliance with AAP in the Lok Sabha polls in 2024 and joined BJP. Chauhan left Congress after he was denied a Lok Sabha ticket in 2024. This was the second time for both Lovely and Chauhan to join BJP. The Gandhi Nagar MLA joined BJP in May 2017 but returned to Congress in Feb 2018, saying he was a "misfit" in the saffron party. Chauhan left Congress in May 2019 but returned within a few months. Both Lovely and Chauhan played significant roles in mobilising voters in favour of BJP in the Lok Sabha polls last year and the assembly elections earlier this year. While Lovely holds sway among voters in east and north-east Delhi and among the Sikhs, Chauhan is a well-known face among scheduled castes, besides being a popular politician in outer Delhi. Lovely won four consecutive assembly polls in 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013, and lost in 2015 and 2020, before getting elected again in 2025, this time on a BJP ticket. Chauhan also won four consecutive elections between 1993 and 2008. He lost the 2013 and 2015 elections and got re-elected again in 2025. Their political acumen and administrative experience are considered a major asset for BJP and Delhi govt. Sources said both were accorded the status of cabinet ministers. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
