By Matters India Reporter

Amritsar, June 6, 2022: A top Sikh leader on June 6 expressed concern over churches and mosques being built in large numbers in rural Punjab and urged Sikh preachers to reach out and counter this trend of conversion, particularly in the state’s border areas.

Akal Takht (seat of power) acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said at his customary address to the community at an event organized to mark the 38th anniversary of Operation Bluestar at Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine, in Punjab’s Amritsar.

“Today, we (the Sikhs) are facing a lot of challenges. Christianity is being spread in Punjab on a large scale to weaken us (Sikhs) religiously. Churches and mosques are being built in large numbers in the villages of Punjab, which is worrisome for us,” he said added, “I appeal to Sikh preachers to launch a drive against this on a large scale and counter this trend of conversion. Let us strengthen Sikhi in villages again.”

The Sikh leader also said the most affected was the border belt and called for paying special attention there. “This is the time to shed comforts of life and work tirelessly in this direction,” he added.

Meanwhile, Church of North India Bishop Pradeep Samantaroy dismissed Giani Harpreet Singh’s concern of conversion programs in Punjab.

“This is not true. People have the right to preach any religion. The statement of the Sikh religious leader has not come at a right time. We are all talking about religious harmony in the country. No conversion is taking place,” he added.

Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias, apostolic administrator of Jalandhar, agreed with his Protestant counterpart. “We are Catholics. We don’t convert people. It’s a country where people are free to preach. There is no conversion going on. Only dormant Christians have become active and have started practicing the faith,” he asserted.

Pastor Ankur Narula, a spokesperson of Khambra Church in Jalandhar says people from all faiths come for prayers but that does not mean they are being converted to Christianity. “It is sad that a Sikh religious leader of such a stature is issuing such statements that can lead to disharmony,” he said.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the official prelate of Jalandhar, says Christians had good relationship with Sikhs during his tenure.

He headed the diocese of Jalandhar from August 4, 2013, until September 20, 2018, when the Vatican accepted his request to be relieved of his religious duties temporarily. Bishop Gracias, a retired auxiliary bishop of the Bombay Archdiocese, then took over Bishop Mulakkal’s duties.

“We discussed all matters from time to time and cleared all misunderstandings. I spoke for all Christians and they supported us in every way,” Bishop Mulakkal told Matters India.

He termed as sad to hear the Sikh leader calling for armed action against those trying to weaken his religion. “I hope, someone will talk to them and do the needful. We need strong leadership,” he added.

Operation Bluestar was the military operation carried out in 1984 to flush out militants from the Golden Temple. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place in Amritsar to ensure that the event passed off smoothly.

Though separatist slogans were raised by supporters of radical Sikh outfits and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) while the jathedar gave his speech, no untoward incident was reported.

Giani Harpreet Singh said, “If we (Sikhs) are strengthened religiously, we will gain strength in other fields, too. Being weak religiously will keep Sikhs away from ruling. The qaumi (community) spirit must be instilled in youngsters. This is a qaum (community) of lions created by Guru Gobind Singh. The government has turned Amritsar into a fortress to contain Sikh people but a Sikh never attacks any innocent person or without any reason.”