A Cultural Catastrophe”: Delhi College Library Fire Destroys Rare Sikh Archives and Academic Resources
New Delhi, May 15, 2025 — What began as a regular weekday morning at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce (SGGSCC) turned into a nightmare as a fire engulfed the college’s central library, destroying decades of academic heritage. The fire, first detected around 8:55 AM, spread quickly through the four-storey building, leaving behind nothing but charred bookshelves and broken memories.
🔹 Historical Significance of the SGGSCC Library
Located in Delhi’s Pitampura and affiliated with the University of Delhi, SGGSCC is known not just for its commerce and economics curriculum but also for its contributions to interfaith and Sikh studies. The library held more than 55,000 volumes, many of which were rare publications on Sikh history, interreligious dialogue, and the socio-economic history of India.
Its Sikh Centre for Inter-Faith Studies, one of its kind in the capital, contained a priceless collection of old manuscripts, commentaries, and translated scriptures. According to faculty sources, many of these were one-of-a-kind donations from spiritual leaders and international scholars.
“I don’t know if we can ever recover what we’ve lost. Some of those texts had no second copy anywhere else in the country,” said Dr. Satnam Singh, coordinator of the interfaith center.
🔹 Chaos and Community Resilience
As the fire spread, the college’s internal disaster response team assisted in evacuating students and staff. Thanks to the swift action, the building was cleared in minutes. No injuries were reported.
The Delhi Fire Services deployed 10 fire tenders and brought the blaze under control by noon. However, fire officials confirmed that 90% of the library was gutted.
Initial assessments estimate damage worth several crores. More alarming, however, is the irreversible loss of rare academic resources and cultural materials.
Students, faculty, and alumni have come together in grief. A candlelight vigil is being organized by the Student Union to commemorate the loss and call for accountability.
🔹 Digital Backups and Insurance Woes
While SGGSCC had begun digitizing its library resources, much of the digitized content had not yet been uploaded to a secure cloud. The internal server room, located on the second floor, was also damaged in the fire, making retrieval of partial backups uncertain.
Worse still, the college’s insurance policy is said to be limited to structural damage and doesn’t cover cultural assets or manuscripts. Legal and administrative teams are reviewing the policy to seek exceptions or emergency grants.
Delhi’s Higher Education Department has announced a fire safety review for all colleges, and SGGSCC is likely to serve as a case study in crisis management and preparedness.
🔹 Rebuilding: A Hopeful Future Amid Ruins
Despite the devastation, the SGGSCC community is determined to rebuild. In a public appeal, the college called for donations of books, digital resources, and archival material.
Major publishers and alumni are responding. “We’ll do everything we can to replenish the library,” said Rajiv Arora, an SGGSCC alumnus and managing director of a Delhi-based publishing house.
Until reconstruction begins, the administration is setting up a temporary digital library lab and reading hall with Wi-Fi and digital terminals for students.
🔹 A Moment of Reflection
The SGGSCC library fire is more than an isolated tragedy—it’s a national moment for reflection on the importance of protecting our intellectual and cultural institutions. As the ashes settle, the path forward will demand collaboration, resilience, and a renewed respect for heritage.
