Controversy Arises Over “SOMSI” Literary Journal – Questions Raised About Editorial Ethics
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Shimla, Sept. 30 Ritanjali Hastir
In a recent development, the “SOMSI” literary journal, published by the Himachal Pradesh Kala Sanskriti v Bhasha Akademi, has found itself in the midst of a controversy. The controversy centers around two articles with strikingly similar content published in the same issue under different titles and author names, leaving readers perplexed and raising questions about the editorial ethics of the journal.
The issue in question, Volume 187 (January-March 2023), contained an article titled “Kumar Sen Ka Itihas evam Sanskriti” credited to Mr. Hemendra Bali. Additionally, another article titled “Devata Koteshwar Ji Maharaj,” penned by Mr. Hitesh Sharma, appeared on pages 26-30 of the same issue. The content of both articles was found to be remarkably similar, from the beginning to the end.
The articles shared not only an identical narrative but also included 15 identical paragraphs in both versions, raising suspicions about whether this was an inadvertent error or a case of nepotism within the editorial process. Interestingly, the only differences noted between the two articles were the author names, article titles, and the number of paragraphs in the concluding section, with Mr. Bali’s article concluding with 15 paragraphs and Mr. Sharma’s with 11.
This incident has cast doubts on the editorial integrity of “SOMSI” and has prompted questions about the journal’s commitment to upholding the literary standards of Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, it has left the readership wondering whether such practices compromise the credibility and authenticity of the journal’s content.
This incident has cast a shadow over the Himachal Kala Sanskriti department and Himachal Bhasha Akademi and the academic community in the state. It calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the publication of these articles and an examination of the editorial ethics and practices employed by Dr. Karam Singh, the then-editor of “SOMSI.”
The editorial team and the editorial board of the journal must address these concerns promptly to maintain the integrity and credibility of academic publications in Himachal Pradesh. This incident highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards in the realm of academic publishing. The literary community, as well as the readers, demand transparency and accountability to uphold the standards of literary journalism in Himachal Pradesh.
