The 6th South Asian History Conference is being organized by the Department of History, Punjabi University, Patiala from 1–3 February, 2019 on “Mapping the marginalized in South Asia with special reference to the Legacy of Guru Nanak”. Preneet Kaur, Former Minister for External Affairs, Government of India was the chief guest during Inaugural session. While congratulating the department of History, she put forth that this conference would provide a meaningful platform to probe the existing flaws in the policies so as the marginalized section could be benefitted in a more appropriate way.Preneet Kaur informed that under the dynamic leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh, Punjab Government will organise events every month as part of 550th Parkash Purb celebrations to spread Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s message of universal truth, peace and love amongst the world and this conference is also a part of these events.Mrs. Preneet Kaur said that in this year of 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji it is significant to reinterpret his legacy for society in general and the marginalized communities in particular women, dalits, tribal groups, adivasis, tribes, industrial workers, marginal farmers, agriculture labourers and the like. She said that Guru Nanak engineered a social revolution to uphold the dignity of each individual without any discrimination on basis of cast, religion or gender.Madan Lal Jalalpur, MLA Ghanaur laid stress on the fact that the academicians should act as the guiding figures for the young scholars. He also related the key points of the life of Guru Nanak and some historical sites where the Guru visited in his lifetime.
The 3 days conference commenced with the Inaugural Session which was presided over by Prof. B. S Ghuman, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala. He while presenting his presidential remarks laid stress on the various inequalities perpetuated across the globe and how Guru Nanak’s model of social equality since 15th century AD had been and can play a significant role in emancipation of the marginalized sections of the society.The Inaugural Address was delivered by Prof. Balwant Singh Dhillon,Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. He emphasized on Guru Nanak as a genuine Prophet with the objective to bring a radical change in the decadent social order, he propounded a new set of ideas and to realize them established a new institutions such as Guruship, Sangat ,Langar and Dharamshala and others. Through these ideals and institutions, he applied the pragmatic test to his religious experience which fructified in the form of a new religious dispensation in India.The Keynote Address on “Guru Nanak’s perception of World Community with special reference to concept of Marginalisation” was delivered by Prof. Jigar Muhammad, University of Jammu, Jammu. Beginning with justifying the conference on this theme, he highlighted the concept of marginalization which has always been an urban centric concept. He laid emphasis on the fact that Guru Nanak through his ideology provided a solution to eradicate the problems that have had always been an inherited part of the society.
He further added that Guru Nanak in medieval period not only rejected the social prejudices viz. untouchability and others but also started a mission to how these can be conveyed to masses through the institution of Langar.Prof Mesbah Kamal, Dhaka University Dhaka, Bangladesh and Dr. Ajit Singh Sikand, Gutenberg University, Germany were the Guests of Honour during the inaugural session. Prof Mesbah Kamal emphasized on the contribution of Punjab in particular and India as whole in the liberation movement of Bangladesh. He proposed that social, economic and political implications of South Asian countries can be resolved collectively. Dr.Ajit Singh Sikand was a Guest of Honour appealed to governments of various South Asian countries through this conference for opening travel opportunities to various religious sites which were visited by Guru Nanak during his life time.Prof. Jaspal Kaur Dhanju, Department of History introduced the theme of the conference.Dr. Mohammad Idris, Head of the Department of History, Punjabi University, welcomed the delegates. Dr. G.S Batra, Dean Academic Research , Punjabi University, proposed the Vote of Thanks.The Proceedings of 5th South Asian History Conference were released during the Conference. Nearly 250 delegates have come to attend the conference from the different colleges and universities of various South Asian countries and Australia, UK and Germany to explore the anomalies existing among the marginalized communities across these countries.