Why Khalsa College could not become university?

Dr TS Singh Chahal

Amritsar, February 17

During the British rule, by the end of the 19th century, there was a countrywide movement to awaken Indian people and keep them away from the increasing influence of western education, culture and religion, which was spreading fast in India. Leadership of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs thought that their people lagged behind in education and hence they started opening their own educational institutions in the country. Banaras Hindu College at Banaras and Mohammaden Anglo Oriental College at Aligarh were started in 1873 and 1886, respectively.

During the period, when four Sikh boys were converted to Christianity, it ignited the feeling among Sikhs to start a college of their own. Its foundation was laid on March 5, 1892, as a school, which became a degree college — Khalsa College — at Amritsar in 1899, with a dream to become a university some time in future. Its aim “We will be a university” was inscribed in the porch of college.

Barring entry of Prince of Wales

While Banaras Hindu College became Banaras Hindu university (BHU) in 1915, Mohammaden Anglo Oriental College became Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1920. Khalsa College could have become a university had the staff and students not demonstrated against the entry of HRH prince George of Wales in the college. The Sikhs preferred to stand by the freedom movement rather than getting a university at that time. Khalsa College, Amritsar, (KCA) had an estate of 500 acres in Amritsar, a part of which was donated by the residents of Kot Sayyad Mohammad, now Kot Khalsa. The main aim of giving land was to make college self-sufficient for different purposes, including residential, hostels, playgrounds, agriculture and dairy farm, gardens etc and other ancillary services, besides financial support through earnings from these resources.

Proposal needs thorough analysis

Now, when the initiative of creating Khalsa University has been taken by the Khalsa College management at such a late stage, it needs a thorough analysis. Though it is a noble cause, it seems to be weak in methodology, openness and financial support required for establishing the university. When this issue came up a few years ago, the Sikh diaspora by and large seemed against its creation in the present form as suggested by the present Khalsa College management. The governing council itself was divided on the issue. The staff was totally against it. Various Sikh institutions, including the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Chief Khalsa diwan (CKD) and a large number of intellectuals, including former Vice-Chancellors, principals, teachers and lawyers were not in favor of the present proposal. The general public and political parties were against it. The land donors from Kot Khalsa and other people were demonstrating not to allow this to happen. Even the Chancellor of the Khalsa College Society was doubting its bonafides.

CM deferred the decision

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has already deferred the decision to approve the university. Leader of the opposition, Capt Amarinder Singh, and his party has also declared not to allow the university to come up if they came to power. Evidently, there are sharp reactions against this proposal from all sides. The KCA governing council/ management should look afresh about the decision to go ahead with this proposal.

Can be another folly

I have my association with the college for about 32 years as a teacher as well as students. For people like me, the college is deeply embedded in our consciousness. I feel highly concerned about this situation. It is a high time to evaluate whether the present proposal of converting Khalsa College (KC) into Khalsa University (KU) in present shape and circumstances is worthwhile or will it became another folly among many others committed earlier by the KCA management since the creations of Khalsa College Amritsar.

Assets sold with giving thought

The KCA management has sold its property and land without caring for its future requirements to fulfil the aim of becoming a university. Over 300 acre has been sold at nominal rate for establishment of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar. Secondly, they were so careless about their property that five acres were left to be taken over by the GNDU beyond the area they had purchased. Later, stage it was taken back after many years of possession. Thirdly, a vast tract of land behind hostels of the college and Khalsa College for Women was sold at throw away price. Some of its parts were encroached upon by the people. Fourthly, one acre was sold to the Department of Civil Aviation in the middle of the agriculture farm with a 30 feet wide passage along more than four acres (about 1,000 feet) length dissecting the farm. It simply showed how callous they were toward the college land and property. Fifthly, more than four acres was sold just in front of the gate of the Khalsa College for Education and bungalow of the principal across the GT Road, Amritsar.

Missed the train long back

We have also missed many opportunities to become a university. The first we lost a chance to become a university during second decade of the 20th century when the BHU and AMU were established. During this period, GA Wathan, Principal of Khalsa College (1915 to 1924), wanted the Prince of Wales to be received at the college so that he could declare/inaugurate the Sikh University at Amritsar. The proposal was not agreed to because of the ongoing freedom struggle against the British in which staff and students of the college participated. They did not allow the Prince to enter the college. Secondly, when Punjabi University was established in January 1962 at Patiala, we failed to convince the government that central Majha was the real representative of the Punjabi language and culture. Then we lost another opportunity during 1969 when Guru Nanak Dev University was created. Rather we sold more than 300 acres for this university again during the eighties. Dr NS Randhawa, DG, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICRA) and secretary, agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi, offered to make the agricultural wing of the college a campus of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, which if made could have become a university at a better stage. There are more than one agriculture universities in different states. Jammu and Kasmir has two agriculture universities. Punjab being the food bowl of the country had a better claim to have another university. Lastly, we should have tried to take the central university, allotted for the state by the government headed by Dr Manmohan Singh at Amritsar, for Khalsa College, Amritsar.

Will Khalsa University able to compete with GNDU

Now, if we look at the present position we must assess whether a private university will succeed at the campus or not. Just along the wall of the college is the GNDU, which is ranked ninth among the top universities of the India. Is also getting grant from the state government. Hence, will Khalsa University be able to compete with GNDU in terms of its academic standard, financial viability, fee structure and growth?

(Dr Tarvinder Singh Chahal, is director, Institute of Development and Planning, Amritsar.)