Karnal,
Pained over the proposed move of renaming Dyal Singh Evening College, New Delhi, as Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya, retired teachers of Karnal-based Dyal Singh College decided today to approach all political parties to garner support.

They announced that they would approach Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in this regard so that the legacy of a national figure, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, could be saved.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Dr Ram Ji Lal, retired principal of Dyal Singh College, Karnal, and Prof VB Abrol, retired head of English department, claimed it to be a step towards erasing Sardar Majithia’s legacy.

Dr Lal said they would start a signature campaign in the city next week with the help of various social organisations. They had been sending letters to all political parties to raise the issue in the Assembly and Parliament, he pointed out.

“This issue should be highlighted in the Assembly and Parliament so that attempts to lower the stature of a renowned person are averted,” he said. “Retired teachers of Dyal Singh College, Karnal, have decided to meet the Chief Minister in this regard,” he added.

He invited members of the governing body of Dyal Singh Evening College to an open debate on the issue. “I am inviting the president of the body for an open debate over the contribution of Sardar Majithia,” he added.

Showing a thesis on the life of Sardar Majithia, he said the legend had contributed a lot towards spread of education and uplift of society in the country.

Prof Abrol said they had no objection to Vande Mataram as a name, but a new college should be established by this name instead of renaming a college which had been running for the last six decades.