Serious errors in ‘Mahan Kosh’ published by Pbi varsity: SGPC

AMRITSAR : An Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) panel has found ‘serious errors’ in Punjabi University Patiala’s publications of Sikh encyclopedia ‘Gurshabad Ratanakar Mahan Kosh’ authored by Sikh scholar late Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha.

The university recently published the original form of ‘Mahan Kosh’ which is also considered the oldest ‘Punjabi to Punjabi’ dictionary, and its translation in English under a project of its publication in three languages—Punjabi (original), Hindi and English. The original and English version had been published, while Hindi version is reportedly underway.

After many scholars drew their attention towards the ‘errors’ in the publications, the apex gurduwara body formed a four-member committee, comprising Prabhjot Kaur, Chamkaur Singh, Amarinder Singh and Om Parkash Vashisht, to probe into the matter.

This committee submitted its report to the SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar on Monday.

The panel found that the university did not only commit errors in the English version which is published in four volumes, but also tempered with the original form of ‘Mahan Kosh’, said the SGPC chief.

He said that many words have been replaced with others which have different meanings. He said deletion and addition have also been made in the publications. “There is mention of hunting incident in life of Guru Hargobind Ji in the dictionary, but in the university’s version, hunting was replaced by visiting,” he said.

“This act has hit the originality and greatness of Mahan Kosh and left the Sikh sentiments hurt,” Badungar said, adding, “A letter has been written to CM Captain Amarinder Singh seeking a ban on sale the of these versions.”