GNDU urges UN to mark October 24 as ‘Day of Universal Conscience’

Guru Nanak Dev University has sent a proposal to the United Nations to dedicate its United Nations Day celebrated every year on October 24 to the universal moral legacy.

In this proposal, which has been forwarded by Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjit Singh, the university has proposed to celebrate United Nations Day as 'Day of Universal Conscience'.

The Vice Chancellor, in an official letter sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has proposed that Guru Tegh Bahadur not only protected Hinduism with his martyrdom, but also wrote a golden chapter of religious freedom and protection of ideas for the entire human race. “That is why, the university proposes to the UN that this day should be celebrated globally as 'Day of Universal Conscience' as a symbol of the thought of ‘the good of all’ to strengthen the global community,” states the letter.

Guru Nanak Dev University is the first university in India to submit such a global proposal to the United Nations.

The university has appointed Jaspreet Singh, Attorney at Law (New York) and Professor of Eminence, at GNDU, as the authorised representative to convey the proposal directly and securely to the United Nations.

The VC said he has been authorised to personally visit the UN headquarters in New York to deposit copies of the proposal and the declaration with the Office of the Secretary-General and to maintain contact with relevant UN officials to take forward this initiative.

The Amritsar declaration on this was adopted with the consensus of more than 70 scholars during the national seminar on the martyrdom of ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, organised by the university on November 11 and 12, which was formally read out and presented by the Vice Chancellor.

The declaration adopts Guru Tegh Bahadur’s universal message to humanity, “Bhai kahu kau det nahi nahi bhai maanat aan” (meaning: ‘Do not frighten anyone and do not fear anyone’) as its central element.

“Its main objective is to protect human rights to freedom of belief and moral ideals at the global level, honour the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur for humanity, inspire countries to make ethical decisions and strengthen the principles of justice, equality and human dignity enshrined in the United Nations Constitution. This day will inspire the world to reflect on moral courage, compassion, peace and human values every year,” said the VC.