Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Grapples with Administrative Crisis and Staff Shortages
The historic Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library (KBOPL) in Patna, a 135-year-old institution declared of national importance, is currently facing significant administrative challenges and a severe staff shortage. The post of full-time director has remained vacant since August 2023, creating uncertainty in its operations.
Institution of National Importance Struggles with Functionality
Designated as an institution of national importance by the Government of India in 1969, KBOPL houses one of the country's most valuable collections of rare manuscripts and books. However, sources indicate that the library's functioning has been adversely affected due to alleged neglect by authorities and delays in filling crucial vacancies.
According to insiders, most senior employees have retired in recent years without any recruitment process initiated to replace them. Against a sanctioned strength of 52 positions, only 16 staff members are currently managing all administrative and academic responsibilities, stretching resources thin.
Leadership Vacuum and Parliamentary Intervention
The last full-time director, Syesta Bedar, completed her five-year deputation and returned to Aligarh Muslim University in August 2023. Since then, the position has remained unfilled. Recently, Siddharth Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, was assigned the additional charge of director-in-charge of KBOPL alongside his existing duties.
About two weeks ago, a parliamentary standing committee expressed serious concern over the prolonged vacancy of the director's post and sought an explanation from the Union Ministry of Culture. The committee recommended that the ministry fill the position within 90 days and submit a detailed report on the reasons for the delay. It also emphasized setting clear timelines for completing digitization projects related to national archives.
Cultural Heritage Experts Voice Concerns
Bhairav Lal Das, State Convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), lamented the neglect of the library, highlighting its long-standing role in serving scholars from South Asia and the Middle East. He stressed that the institution cannot develop effectively under bureaucratic control and called for the immediate appointment of a full-time academic director.
Founded over a century ago, KBOPL is considered a cornerstone of scholarly research in oriental studies, making the current administrative and staffing crisis a matter of grave concern for historians and academicians across the nation. The library's rich heritage and academic contributions are at risk without stable leadership and adequate staffing.
