Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces world-class university named after Guru Tegh Bahadur in Anandpur Sahib
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made the announcement after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal urged him to build a befitting tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur in Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Tuesday announced a world-class university named after Guru Tegh Bahadur in Anandpur Sahib, a city associated with the ninth Sikh Guru, during the concluding function of the Punjab government’s three-day event to commemorate the 350th year of his martyrdom.
Mann made the announcement after the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who addressed the gathering, urged him to build a befitting tribute to the guru. “There should be a world-class university or an institution in Anandpur Sahib. I will urge CM Mann to make a provision for setting up the university,” Kejriwal said. Mann, who spoke subsequently, made the announcement.
Sources in the government said that Anandpur Sahib MLA and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains was upset as no important announcement was made when the government organised a mega function in the city, spending crores. Bains, who is considered to be close to Kejriwal since their association began during the movement led by Anna Hazare, had been urging to declare Anandpur Sahib as Punjab’s 24th district.
On Monday, during the special Vidhan Sabha session organised in Anandpur Sahib, Mann had announced that the government would develop Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo as holy cities. On Tuesday, he reiterated that the three cities would be entirely declared as holy cities of Punjab. The announcement invited criticism with Opposition parties stating that they were already holy cities.
Speaking at a function organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at the historic Seesh Ganj Sahib Gurdwara, barely a kilometre away from the venue of the government function, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal hit out at Mann, saying that the cities were declared holy by former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal 15 years ago.
Revamping Charan Ganga stadium, free bus service in holy cities
Chief Minister Mann also announced that Charan Ganga Stadium in Sri Anandpur Sahib would be revamped and asked Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh to share a map so that the stadium could be developed further.
Mann also announced a free local bus service for devotees at all three holy cities. “The devotees will be taken to all gurdwaras in Anandpur Sahib through this free bus service. The holy city will be clean. As Harjot Bains sahib said, it will be painted in one colour… There will be similar designs. You will see how the Guru’s city will turn into.”
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At the same time, he said the government had already provided infrastructure to make the gurdwaras disabled-friendly. The roads have been recarpeted. All this will stay here. We are not going to take it back to Chandigarh,” he said.
‘Will celebrate Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 351st martyrdom day’
Defending the delay in making these announcements at the Vidhan Sabha session, he said that the announcement for a holy city requires to be routed through the Legislative Assembly, while other announcements can be made by the government.
“I want to say here that we will not just stop at commemorating the 350th martyrdom day of the guru. There will be the 351st one also,” he said, adding that more announcements will be made in the coming days.
“In the university, you should be able to set up a chair. There can be a section that can translate Gurbani in all languages of the world so that its message can be transmitted universally. As Kejriwal sahib said, reading and assimilating even a single page of Gurbani can transform lives… We will ask the sangat and the religious leaders as to what courses they would like in the university. Everything will be done in consultation with the people.”
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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