Posted on: Aug 17, 2018
AUGUST 11 & 12, 2018
TAKE NOTE of the role played by India’s rich spiritual heritage and literature, its Spiritual Masters and the great leaders of India in moulding the national and individual character of humankind and its influence on the framing of the Indian Constitution which guarantees the secular polity of the Country with emphasis on Human Values which are essential for a just society and for upholding the dignity of human beings
RECOGNISE the importance of Universal and eternal values in a changing society which are part of the Constitution which guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens
EMPHASISE the importance of universal Human values for the creation of a just, fair, equitable, prosperous, peaceful and progressive society in which all citizens are happy and peaceful and are in a position to enjoy the gift of human birth, in harmony with nature and society
HEREBY DECLARE that the following five Universal Human Values which are divine, and which unify all mankind constitute the foundation of all fundamental and universal human rights and freedoms and ought to be respected, followed and implemented in letter and spirit by all countries, states and citizens for the all-round development and welfare of the Nation and indeed the whole world:
SATHYA or truth being an essential path shall be followed in all endeavours by the State and all its three organs namely the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary as also by all citizens in their personal, business and professional affairs and matters and at all times and in all circumstances without equivocation
DHARMA or Right Conduct being the path of rectitude and conduct in all affairs, both temporal and spiritual which shall be followed by one and all, including the State but more particularly the Judiciary and legal professionals in all their actions
SHANTI or peace, a facet of the right to life which should be respected and implemented by all Citizens and State bodies and all other organs of the State to ensure peace, harmony, mutual respect for all religions and classes of people
PREMA or love towards all beings and creatures in the world, particularly nature and its bountiful gift of air, light, water, minerals, oceans, creatures, rivers, seas, flora and fauna which should be translated into action by respecting the environment and nature by avoiding over exploitation and pollution and preserving for future generations the gifts of nature and a pure environment and natural resources
AHIMSA or non-violence being a state of physical and mental poise by which not merely eschewing violent physical acts but to even avoid thoughts which are harmful to peace and harmony among all beings and to inculcate respect for Rule of Law and its enforcement by following the path of rectitude in all actions which alone are conducive to peace in society
that it is imperative to uphold the above Human Values by adopting the path of rectitude and moral and ethical standards in the functioning of the judiciary and the legal profession as the judiciary is entrusted with the important duty of protecting, preserving, upholding and enforcing all fundamental freedoms and all legal rights conferred on all citizens by law
While noticing the pivotal role played by the judiciary in upholding the Constitution and human values, judges ought to recognise the importance of balancing the rights and duties of the citizens and to ensure the protection of human values for enriching the lives of the Citizens and when necessary to adopt judicial activism and use innovative methods of applying human values to resolve Litigation wherever possible
That the Judiciary must be sensitised to human values particularly Dharma and Sathya and their importance in interpreting all constitutional provisions and laws of the Land particularly relating to new problems of enforcement of fundamental rights and human values arising on account of advances in Science and technology in the digital age
That the syllabus in all educational institutions must focus on a proper study of the essential features of Human values and their importance in human development and understanding of legal principles so as to inculcate good value systems in young minds to enable them to lead principled life with ethics and morality coupled with sensitivity for other human beings and nature so as to enrich the lives of all living beings in the world modelled on the principle of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam meaning the entire world is one family which will lead to avoidance of conflict in society which leads to litigation.
That the legal fraternity and the Alumni of all Sri Sathya Sai educational Institutions ought to be sensitised to the importance of adherence to human values in their personal and professional lives
That the Sri Sathya Sai organisation shall endeavour to impart legal education to school children
To involve all Sai Institutions in the dissemination of the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba relating to human values
To generate legal literature on the importance of human values based on the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and set up required infrastructure to disseminate the same all over the country
To collaborate with Professional bodies like Bar Council of India, Medical Council of India, All India Council for Technical Education etc. to introduce as part of their curriculum principles of human values based on the Awareness course of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher learning
To encourage the members of Sai organisation from the legal fraternity to render free legal aid in collaboration with the State legal Services Authority and also to victims of violence and abuse and contribute in all ways to uphold dharma in Society as a binding force for social harmony.