VANCOUVER: Since the establishment of Sikh chairs at Universities in Canada and Michigan a Controversy has raged over who can legitimately occupy those SEATS.
The chair in Michigan occupied by Prof. Pashaura Singh generated considerable heat when Copies of his PH thesis on the Textural Analysis of the Aadi Granth appeared Opponents have stated that is work is based on false premise a manuscript that many Punjabi Sikh scholars don’t consider legitimate Another criticisms that his work was over seen by academics like Dr. Hew Me Cloud and Harjot Oberoi who have their own axes to grind against Sikhs who are not part of the academic world.
Many feel that the Universities have been both insensitive to the religious nature of Sikhism and Ungrateful to the benefactors when made the chairs possible Biting the hand that feeds as it were.
The latest solve in the battle was fired recently when an educational conference organized in Canada called for Professor Oberoi ouster
Several Sikh societies have joined forces and hired solicitor Iqbal Sara to take up their case with the University of British Columbia.
In view of this charge sheets against both the professor and the University have been drawn up stating the following:
In reference to the Professor:
- Since in or about 1987; Publication of Anti-Sikh books.
- Publication of Anti-Sikh Article and Papers
- Using Sikh Chair funds Depart ment of Asian Studies University of British Columbia for the pier pose of producing Anti-Sikh literature
- Using University of British Columbia funding and Faculty Research prants-1987 & 1991 to of a minority community of Canada Namely the Sikhs
- Using Eurocentric Research Paradigm to insult trivialize di vide fracture Sikhs and the Sikh Scriptures the Sikh Gurus in a premeditated attempt and plan to Un-make Sikhs and Sikhism
- Authoring gross misrepresentations of Sikh Religion and its practice.
- Misrepresenting Suppressing (HCA Rose) and or distorting Sikh social realities by means of social method based on false sets of propositions
- Violating Guidelines of the Academic Freedom and Social Science Research Council of Canada 9. Being unqualified or inadequately qualified to full the responsibilities and work and job particulars and functions of the Chair of Punjabi Language Literature and Sikh Studies in reference to the objectives of the Chair agreed to by the University. Charges against the University by Sikh Community /_Appropriating Endowment Trust Fund and it is income for purposes other than those covenanted for under the objectives set out in the Memorandum of Agreement made and dated the 16th March 1985 and a certain Agreement in writing dated 25 February 1987 executed between the University the Government of Canada and a certain Federation of Sikh Societies of Canada on behalf of the Sikh Community.
- Employing unqualified and unsuitable staff to fill the Chair of Punjabi Language Literature and Sikh Studies in breach of the covenants entered into under the aforesaid Agreements and the Objectives undertaken thereunder.
- in appropriate Evaluation of the Candidate by the Tenure Committee before giving him Tenure.
- Failure to heed Sikh Community complaints regarding activity of Sikh Chair at special meeting with President or his representative at UBC campus in or about December 1990. Although he was invited Prof Oberoi did not attend the conference. When contacted by the press Prof Oberoi said: This debate has been going on a long time this is the second conference on the issue. I would prefer not to enter into a mudslinging bash. I don’t think it would be productive formed to enter the debate at this time.
You have got to look at the qualifications of these people and see if they are professors where they say they are.
Defending academics freedom Oberoi said an Academic scholarship is not subject to the same frame work as religion. There has been a long standing struggle between religious authorities and secular Universities and this debate is part of that.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1994
