Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today criticised the state cabinet's decision to set up Khalsa University in Amritsar, saying it virtually "demolishes" a historic institution like Khalsa College.
"It is part of our Khalsa history and heritage and I promise, the day Congress forms the government (in the state), we will restore back its status," he said, warning, "it may prove to be the last nail in the Badals' coffin".
Urging Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to pass the bill in the Assembly, Amarinder, who has also served as the Chancellor of Khalsa College, Amritsar, said, "Despite resentment among the people, if he (Badal) still goes ahead and misuses his brute majority in the Assembly to pass the bill, the Congress government will repeal it and restore the original status of Khalsa College, Amritsar."
"Given the greed the Majithia (state Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia) family has shown to grab the historic institution, they have only proved that they are just a greedy reflection of the Badals," he said, adding, "apparently inspired by the Badals, Majithias have done to Khalsa College, what the Badals have done to SGPC".
Questioning the logic behind setting up the university that will share its boundary wall with Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, the former chief minister suggested that if the Badals and Majithias were really serious about setting up an institution of higher learning, they should better have set it up in southern Punjab around Mansa, Barnala or Sangrur where there is no university.
There are not even enough colleges in that area, he added.
Referring to the history and heritage of Khalsa College, Amritsar, Amarinder said it was set up by the leading families of the Sikh community of that time with huge contributions.
He said his own Patiala family had also made a substantial contribution in setting up of Khalsa College, Amritsar.
