Sale of banned book on Guru Nanak Dev Jee Erupts controversy

PATIALA, May 26 : Punjab Language Department has triggered new controversy by re-launching the banned book on Sri Guru Nanak Dev authored by Dr Gurbachan Kaur.Basically, the book titled “Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala Da Paath Pramanikaran Ate Aalochanatmac Sampadan” is based on Ph.D thesis on Janam Sakhi of Guru Nanak Jee. But the Janam Sakhi on which the book is based, is not original one which was dictated by Bhai Bala Jee to Bhai Perra Mokha jee at Khadur Sahib under the guidance of Sri Guru Angad Jee.The original version of Janam Sakhi had gone missing. The ‘Janam Sakhi’ which is found these days has been reportedly authored by anti-Sikh forces as it contains offensive remarks against Sikh Guru Nanak. Due to which, it was banned by the state government in 1987 on demand of Sikhs.The Language Department had published the thesis in form of book of 1,000 copies. However, when the readers objected to the content, the state government banned the book. The stock was dumped in the Language Department. About two years ago, a proposal was also brought to fore of destroying the books. But, the department sold the books after removing the derogatory content instead. However, the department failed to remove all the objectionable remarks from the book.The department’s move came to light after a few readers including former Punjab Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh, complained in this regard. They have demanded that these books should be confiscated and burnt in full public view. “Those responsible for selling the banned book should be booked,” Bir Devinder Singh said.On being contacted, Chetan Singh, Director of the Language Department, said that an enquiry had been marked to probe into the matter.