Ravi S.Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 9

Prominent Sikh personalities on Wednesday pitched for inclusion of historical aspects related to Sikhs in books of NCERT besides school boards and universities across the country.

They urged the Centre to constitute a high-powered committee to conduct a study and make recommendation in the matter.

Welcoming Punjab government's move to constitute a committee to review "deletion" of some aspects of Sikh history from Class 12 history book of Punjab School Education Board, former Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities and Rajya Sabha MP, Tarlochan Singh suggested that the Centre should rope in intellectuals on the proposed committee.

Singh said: "It is ironical that although Sikhs have contributed immensely for the country, many people are not aware of it. It is important that the future generations of the country should be aware of their contribution to the country's socio-religious, economic and political history, including the Sikh Gurus and Maharaja Ranjit Singh."

Former vice-chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Jaspal Singh said India's history would be incomplete without reference to contribution of Sikhs. He, too, welcomed Punjab government's move to constitute committee with regard review of inclusion of aspects of the community in Punjab School Education Board.

They also lauded the Punjab government for making the committee inclusive taking on board cross-sections of shades of opinion in the community.

Sikh intellectuals in a meeting here had urged Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to constitute a committee soon after the controversy over "deletion" of chapters on Sikh history from the book.