Title: Qaumi Masle – Episode 7
Sub-Title: Discussing Controversy surrounding VC of SGPC owned University
Duration: 49:18 Minutes
Release Date: August 25, 2012
Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, a controversial figure was appointed as founding Vice-Chancellor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee at the behest of Badal Dal led by Parkash Singh Badal.
Despite strong opposition to this appointment by various Sikh organizations SGPC head Avtar Singh Makkar supported Jasvir S. Ahluwalia and he remained on the seat of Vice-Chancellor of SGGS World University.
Few weeks back JS Ahluwalia was suspended by Avtar Singh Makkar. Makkar has accused Ahluwalia for misconducting affairs of the University. SGPC accountants have accused Ahluwalia for huge financial embezzlement.
It is notable that JS Ahluwalia was ousted from the Vice-chancellorship of Punjabi University, Patiala in 2002 in wake of serious charges and wide-spread opposition against him.
JS Ahluwalia was adviser of SS Ray, during his tenure as Governor of Punjab after 1984 when Sikh militant struggle was going on in Punjab.
Ahluwalia is also considered to be the draftsman for Badal Dal who embedded Punjabiyat terminology in Shiromani Akali Dal’s documents.
His appointment and dismissal has raised many important questions regarding role of Sikh intellectuals, their alignment with the State, Badal Dal and SGPC’s role in harboring and establishing these pro-State intellectuals and the serious misconducts regarding functioning of SGPC run education institutions.
All these aspects were discussed in details in seventh episode of Qaumi Masle, a fortnightly talkshow by Sikh Siyasat.
Senior Journalist S. Karamjeet Singh, Akali Dal Panch Pardhani leader Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema and former students’ leader Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema participated in this talkshow. This talkshow was conducted by Baljeet Singh.