Capt: Don’t subvert heritage character of Khalsa College
Sunday, 31/01/2016
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AMRITSAR: After the Khalsa College Governing Council initiated a fresh move to establish Khalsa University, Punjab Congress president and Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday questioned the logic behind the move which, he apprehended, would dilute and subvert the “heritage status” of Khalsa College.
The MP said that at no cost would he allow the distinct identity and place the college held in Punjab’s cultural history be diluted, usurped or subverted for the greed of a few controlling the college governing council.
In a statement, Amarinder said he would stage a protest against the move in front of the college in case the governing council decided to go ahead with the decision.
The former Punjab chief minister maintained that he was not opposed to anybody setting up a private university. “But certainly not at the cost of our golden heritage of which Khalsa College is an important symbol,” he warned, adding that those at the helm of the governing council must remember that it was not their private property but the public trust they were holding, for which a number of Punjabis, including his ancestors, had made immense contribution.
Amarinder said he would see to it that the college, which officially enjoyed a heritage status, retained the distinction and did not fall prey to the greed of a few. “I am concerned not only because I am the local MP but also because I am a Punjabi who holds his history and culture as sacrosanct. That is why I warn the governing council against the ill-intended move,” he asserted.
He questioned the logic behind setting up the university as Guru Nanak Dev University was doing a great job.
