National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies, Punjab

The National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies (NIIFS) is a proposed premier academic and cultural institution in Punjab, conceived to promote religious harmony, interfaith dialogue, and peace studies in India. The establishment of this institute reflects the state and central governments’ commitment to preserving the ideals of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, whose teachings emphasised unity, equality, and compassion across all faiths.

Background and Conception

The idea of establishing the National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies was announced by the Government of India in 2019, in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, as part of the celebrations marking the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy of “Ik Onkar” (One Universal Creator) and “Sarbat da Bhala” (the welfare of all) continues to be relevant in a world often divided by religion and ideology. The institute was envisioned as a living tribute to his universal teachings, promoting dialogue between religions, philosophies, and cultures to foster peace and coexistence.
Punjab, with its long history of pluralism and inter-community harmony, was chosen as the natural home for such an institution. The state has historically served as a cradle of spiritual and cultural diversity, where Sikhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity have coexisted and influenced each other.

Objectives of the Institute

The National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies aims to function as a national centre of excellence dedicated to:

• Promoting interfaith understanding and dialogue among diverse religious and cultural groups.
• Conducting academic research on comparative religion, philosophy, ethics, and peacebuilding.
• Hosting seminars, conferences, and workshops on communal harmony, global peace, and cultural integration.
• Training scholars, teachers, and community leaders in conflict resolution, interreligious studies, and ethics.
• Creating a knowledge repository of India’s pluralistic traditions and spiritual philosophies.
• Encouraging international collaborations with universities and think tanks working on interfaith and peace studies.

Institutional Framework

The NIIFS is planned as a joint initiative of the Government of Punjab and the Government of India, operating under the supervision of the Union Ministry of Education and the Department of Higher Education, Punjab.
Key features of its framework include:

• Establishment as a central institute of national importance.
• Autonomous status, with an academic council and governing board comprising scholars, religious leaders, and peace practitioners.
• Interdisciplinary departments covering areas such as comparative theology, ethics, conflict transformation, sociology of religion, and cultural studies.
• Integration with Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, for academic collaboration, faculty exchange, and joint research.

Proposed Location and Infrastructure

The National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies is proposed to be located in Amritsar, Punjab, the spiritual centre of Sikhism and home to the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib)—one of the most sacred symbols of interfaith openness and service (seva).
The Government of Punjab has identified land near Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) for the institute, offering it free of cost to expedite the project. The proposed infrastructure includes:

• Academic and administrative blocks.
• A Centre for Inter-Faith Dialogue and Peace Studies.
• A Library and Digital Archive of religious manuscripts and comparative theology.
• Seminar halls and auditoriums for interfaith conferences.
• A Museum of Pluralism and Harmony, showcasing India’s shared cultural heritage.
• Residential facilities for students, faculty, and visiting scholars.

The estimated cost of establishment was projected to be around ₹500 crore, to be jointly funded by the central and state governments.

Academic Vision and Research Focus

The NIIFS aims to blend academic scholarship with practical engagement in promoting peace and dialogue. The institute’s curriculum and research agenda will be interdisciplinary, encompassing:

• Comparative Religion and Theology: Study of major world religions and their common ethical foundations.
• Peace and Conflict Resolution: Methods for addressing inter-community tensions and fostering reconciliation.
• Indian Philosophy and Pluralism: Exploration of India’s ancient traditions of tolerance and coexistence.
• Ethics, Ecology, and Sustainable Development: Interfaith perspectives on moral responsibility and environmental stewardship.
• Global Interfaith Movements: Analysis of international case studies in dialogue and cooperation among faiths.
• Women and Religion: Research on gender equality and empowerment within religious traditions.

The institute will also offer certificate, diploma, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, along with fellowships for scholars and activists working in related fields.

Role of Punjab Government

The Punjab Government has played a central role in conceptualising and supporting the project. It was instrumental in:

• Proposing Amritsar as the site for the institute.
• Facilitating land allocation and infrastructure development.
• Coordinating with the Union Government for administrative and financial approvals.
• Integrating the institute’s objectives with Punjab’s broader initiatives promoting peace and cultural preservation.

The state government sees the NIIFS as a strategic educational and cultural institution that complements other heritage projects such as:

• The Kartarpur Corridor, symbolising cross-border religious unity.
• The Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550th Prakash Purab celebrations.
• Development of heritage museums and cultural circuits centred around Sikh and interfaith history.

National and Global Significance

The establishment of the National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies holds immense importance for both India and the international community:

1. Promoting National Unity: The institute embodies India’s constitutional ethos of secularism and cultural pluralism, reinforcing the principle of unity in diversity.
2. Academic Contribution: It will provide a specialised platform for scholars to study the dynamics of faith, peace, and social change within and beyond India.
3. Global Relevance: In a world facing rising religious intolerance and identity-based conflicts, the NIIFS can serve as a global hub for intercultural understanding and conflict resolution.
4. Tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji: The institute serves as an enduring memorial to Guru Nanak’s message of oneness, equality, and love for humanity.
5. Cultural Diplomacy: It enhances India’s soft power by projecting the nation as a leader in interfaith harmony and peace education.

Implementation and Current Status

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for the establishment of the institute in 2019. A steering committee was formed to finalise its institutional design, curriculum framework, and funding mechanisms.
Preliminary work on land identification and infrastructure planning was initiated in coordination with the Punjab State Higher Education Department and Guru Nanak Dev University. The project is intended to be developed in phases, with initial academic activities—lectures, conferences, and research collaborations—taking place under the university’s existing facilities until the dedicated campus is completed.

Challenges

While the vision for the National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies is ambitious, several challenges remain:

• Timely execution of land acquisition and construction.
• Recruitment of qualified faculty in specialised interdisciplinary fields.
• Securing sustained funding and international partnerships.
• Ensuring academic independence and inclusivity free from political or sectarian influence.

Significance for Punjab

For Punjab, the NIIFS represents not just an educational institution but a symbolic project of social reconciliation. The state, which has endured religious and communal tensions in the past, sees this initiative as a means to reinforce its legacy of tolerance and harmony.
The institute’s establishment in Amritsar will further consolidate the city’s position as a global centre for faith, culture, and peace education, complementing existing institutions like Guru Nanak Dev University and the Central Institute of Sikh Studies.