Punjabi University to recover publication cost of Maharana Pratap book

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 30

Punjabi University will now recover expenses incurred on printing of a book on Maharana Pratap after it was flagged for various mistakes and alleged plagiarism. The book will be sealed and retrieved from sales. The decision has come after a three-member committee formed by the university submitted its report suggesting various recommendations.

The 182 pages book titled ‘Maharana Pratap: Apex of chivalry and heroics’ was published by the university’s publication bureau. The book was released by then Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore on the occasion of the 481st birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap on June 14.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Arvind said he had approved six recommendations of the three-member committee.

“The university has decided not to sell the book in the market. The copies of the book will be kept sealed,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

“Apart from this, the university will also start the process of rewriting the book, which will include various chapters of Maharana Pratap’s life that were not included in the previous publication,” said the Vice-Chancellor .

“The book, which will be written by a new editorial board and translated into Punjabi and Hindi,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

“As far as allegations of plagiarism are concerned, we have decided to seek legal opinion on it. We will form a committee to look into the expenditure incurred in various processes of publication and recover the legitimate amount of printing. Some parts of the book can be re-utilised,” said the Vice-Chancellor .

“The book has not been edited properly and carries many mistakes,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

The issue cropped up after plagiarism and other allegations were levelled against the book by a retired professor of the Department of History, Punjabi University, recently. Concerns were also raised after a senior functionary claimed that the university had decided to publish a separate book on Maharana Pratap despite the fact that the three-member panel had yet to submit its report along with recommendations.