Khuda Bakhsh Library is not just a treasure of Bihar but a great academic heritage of the country, its protection is our collective responsibility: Muhammad Sharfuddin Khan

Patna, August 5: Muhammad Sharfuddin Khan, grandson of Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh Khan, said that the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library is not just an institution, but a symbol of India's academic, cultural, and historical identity. The rare and unique manuscripts, ancient books, and historical artifacts preserved in this world-renowned library are a shared intellectual wealth of humanity, whose protection and preservation are a collective responsibility of all of us. He demanded that the government take immediate and effective measures to protect, develop, and modernize this national heritage.

On the occasion of Khuda Bakhsh Khan Day, after offering a chadar and reciting a fatiha at Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh Khan's mausoleum, Muhammad Sharfuddin Khan, while talking to journalists, inspected various departments of the library and expressed concern over the current situation. He said that he would soon meet with the current Governor of Bihar to have a detailed discussion on the development, basic facilities, and administrative issues of the Khuda Bakhsh Library, so that a permanent solution to the problems faced by this historic institution can be found.

He said that the library currently needs a trained staff and an effective security system the most. Due to the severe shortage of employees, the proper care of valuable and rare books is not possible, resulting in this intellectually significant treasure being left to dust. He said that this situation is extremely alarming and if timely attention is not paid, there is a risk of irreparable damage.

Muhammad Sharfuddin Khan further said that some of the library's buildings have become dilapidated and need repair, painting, and necessary decoration, which is an urgent need. He appealed to the Government of India and the Government of Bihar to provide special funds for the protection, modernization, and strengthening of the infrastructure of this historic academic institution, so that future generations can also benefit from this great intellectual heritage. He also said that Khuda Bakhsh Khan sacrificed everything for the establishment of the library.

He said that the members of Khuda Bakhsh Khan's family should be respected. Reliable sources from the library said that the current director has arrived just two months ago, and gradually, all the work of the library will be done. The director is very active, so there is no need to worry.