Controversy in Punjab Over Vice Chancellor's Brief to RSS Chief; SGPC Removes Him From Committee

Jalandhar: A video shared by Congress MLA Pargat Singh showing Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) vice chancellor (VC) Karamjeet Singh briefing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat about a few initiatives undertaken by his institute at an event in Kochi has led to political controversy in Punjab.

While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by chief minister Bhagwant Mann is yet to respond, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) swiftly removed the VC from the committee that drafts the service rules for the Sri Akal Takht Sahib's jathedar or head.

The video, which Pargat Singh shared on X on Friday (August 1), has invited sharp reactions on social media and comes amid concerns in the Sikh community that the RSS and the BJP are trying to interfere in matters of their faith.

VC mentions initiative linking Rigveda with Guru Nanak's teachings

In the video, Karamjeet Singh is seen standing among the audience and briefing Bhagwat, who was sitting on stage, about a few initiatives taken by his university located in Amritsar.

The incident took place on July 28 at an event in Kochi titled ‘Gyan Sabha – Education for Viksit Bharat [developed India]’ which was organised by the RSS-linked Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas and Amrita University, and saw a number of vice chancellors in attendance.

Briefing Bhagwat, the VC listed three initiatives: “We have introduced a compulsory pre-PhD course on ‘Bharatiya gyan parampara’. Second, we have established a Sikh study chair aimed at studying the connections of the Rigveda and ‘sarve sukhino bhawantu’ [Sanskrit for ‘may everyone be happy’] with Sarbat Da Bhala, the teaching of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. Third, we have started a Punjabi course in connection with IT.”

The VC also said he would try and implement the points raised in the event.

Notably, the RSS-linked Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas came into existence in 2007 as an extension of the ‘Shiksha Bachao Andolan’ that started in 2004. The platform focuses on character-building, value-based education, Vedic mathematics and textbook reforms among other things.

Tagging Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal as well as Mann, Pargat Singh, who is MLA for the Jalandhar Cantonment seat, wrote:

“When Guru Nanak Dev University’s Vice Chancellor is seen [abjectly] explaining things to the RSS chief, it raises serious questions. It shows how the AAP government in Punjab has helped the RSS to take control of the entire education system, including universities, in Punjab. The AAP government has already shown its obedience to the right-wing agenda by implementing the NEP [National Education Policy] in toto.”

‘Objections raised by Sikh community’ cited against Karamjeet Singh

The SGPC, which is responsible for managing and administering gurdwaras, on Saturday removed Karamjeet Singh from the committee formed to frame the service norms of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib's jathedar.

In a press statement, SGPC secretary Partap Singh stated that the video shows Karamjeet Singh expressing views aligned with an anti-Sikh ideology.

“In light of objections raised by the Sikh community, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has taken the step to remove Dr Karamjeet Singh from the committee,” he said.

The Kochi incident took place against the backdrop of growing concern among Sikhs that the Hindu nationalist RSS and BJP are meddling in their religious affairs, a charge that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has also publicly levelled on multiple occasions.

Alongside, the RSS has tried to project Sikhism as a sect of Hinduism, a move that has met with strong opposition from Sikhs.

University decries ‘baseless speculation’ surrounding event

GNDU's public relations department issued a statement saying that certain media outlets and individuals were spreading ‘baseless speculation’ regarding the Kochi meeting.

“GNDU vice-chancellor Dr Karamjeet Singh attended the meeting in Kochi upon an official invitation from the organising association. During the event, he shared details about significant projects undertaken by the university, including the digitisation initiative to promote Punjabi language, environmental campaigns and efforts to spread Sikh consciousness,” the statement read.

The university further said that invitations to the chief guests and other individuals for the event were extended by its organisers. “The vice-chancellor of GNDU had no direct role in issuing invitations or organising the event,” it said.

It also urged people to refrain from engaging in speculation or making statements based on incomplete or misleading information.

SAD spokesperson questions VC’s visit

The SAD is yet to issue an official statement. However, speaking to The Wire, SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said that his party was waiting for the VC's response and would like to know why he appeared at that event.

“The VC’s response, his actions and conduct directly affects the credibility of the university. It is important that the VC maintains the neutrality of academics,” Cheema said.

He added: “The ruling AAP government needs to clear their stand too. We would like to know whether the VC went with the AAP’s permission or if they were aware that he shared his viewpoints at such a forum.”

On the SGPC’s action against the VC, Cheema said that it is the apex institution of the Sikh community and its response was justified. “The Guru Nanak Dev University was founded in the name and principles of Sri Guru Nanak Dev and such actions erode that faith,” he said.

BJP leaders come out in support

While the Punjab BJP's working president Ashwani Sharma was mum over the controversy, other leaders from the party came out in support of Karamjeet Singh.

Referring to the controversy, party spokesperson Sarchand Singh Khiala said, “In this matter, misunderstandings were given importance over facts. The decision of the SGPC to remove him from the committee formed to draft service rules for the jathedar of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib appears to be one-sided. The SGPC should reconsider its decision.”

Khiala clarified that the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev encouraged dialogue and the exchange of ideas. “Dialogue does not mean agreement; it means presenting one’s views clearly and trying to understand others’ perspectives. Targeting an intellectual under such circumstances reflects the narrowness of our thinking,” he added.

Similarly, former chairman of the Punjab Medium Industry Development Board and Punjab BJP leader Amarjeet Singh Tikka termed the decision to remove VC Karamjeet Singh from the committee as an ‘autocratic decree’.

He added, “The SGPC should review its decision and reinstate VC Karamjeet Singh in the committee to strengthen the unity and heritage of the Sikh panth,” he said, referring to the Sikh community as a whole.

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