The recent meeting between Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice Chancellor Karamjeet Singh and Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat has raised alarming concerns among the Sikh community. Reports indicate that the Vice Chancellor briefed Bhagwat on his plans to align the university’s educational curriculum with elements of the Rig Veda, an ancient Hindu scripture. This deliberate move to infuse Hindutva ideology into Sikh academic institutions is seen as a direct attack on the Sikh identity, history, and educational autonomy.
It is deeply worrying that the RSS, an organisation that has long propagated a Hindu nationalist agenda, is now openly influencing Punjab’s education system. Universities, which were once bastions of free thought and Sikh ethos, are being subtly transformed into platforms for promoting sectarian narratives that are alien to Sikh philosophy. The very institutions established to nurture the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji are now being used as tools to dilute those teachings under the garb of “cultural integration.”
Historically, the RSS had opposed the establishment of Guru Nanak Dev University, even objecting to it being named after the founder of Sikhism. Their opposition stemmed from the fact that Guru Nanak’s teachings of universal brotherhood, equality, and rejection of caste-based divisions directly contradict the Hindutva vision of a hierarchical, Brahmanical social order. Today, the same forces that once resisted the formation of this university are now attempting to rewrite its ideological foundation.
The infiltration of RSS ideology into Punjab’s education system is not an isolated event. Over the past few years, there has been a systematic effort to appoint individuals sympathetic to Hindutva ideology in key academic positions, ranging from school boards to universities. The long-term goal is evident — to saffronize Punjab’s intellectual and cultural landscape, erode the distinct Sikh identity, and align it with the broader Hindu nationalist narrative.
Sikh educational institutions have always been the pride of Punjab, serving not just as centres of learning but as guardians of Sikh heritage and values. Allowing them to be hijacked by Hindutva forces will have catastrophic consequences for the community’s future. It is the duty of every right-thinking individual, particularly the Sikh leadership, to rise against these attempts to distort Punjab’s educational and cultural autonomy.
The Sikh community must remember that education has been a key pillar in preserving its unique identity through centuries of struggle and resilience. Letting institutions like GNDU become instruments of ideological subversion would not only betray the vision of the Gurus but also endanger the future generations’ understanding of their rich heritage.
Punjab must stay vigilant. The academic sanctity of Sikh institutions must be defended from communal interference at all costs.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us the eternal values of truth, unity, and equality, emphasizing that true wisdom lies in fostering harmony and standing firm in righteousness. In alignment with his teachings, we must cherish and protect our Sikh educational institutions as sacred spaces for learning, reflection, and the preservation of our rich heritage. These institutions are not merely buildings but embodiments of the Guru’s vision of knowledge that uplifts and unites all, free from division or oppression.
To safeguard their sanctity, we must act with courage and discernment, resisting any attempts to distort their purpose with ideologies that sow discord or undermine the Sikh ethos of inclusivity and truth. Let us come together, guided by Guru Nanak’s call to live truthfully and fearlessly, ensuring that our institutions remain beacons of wisdom, cultural pride, and unity for generations to come. This is not just a duty but a sacred commitment to the Guru’s path of love, justice, and service to humanity.