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.”
Our religious leadership – like Bishop Angelo Gracias love to gain the good will of political masters, ignoring the duty cast upon them by Jesus Christ to preach the Kingdom of God. It seems they have come to the conclusion that modern management of some educational institutions and few hospitals is all that is needed to satisfy the Commandment of Jesus. None of them is interested to tell the public what conversion means . The intention of preaching or such activities is not for any demographic gain but to spread the teachings of Jesus on, love, compassion, orderliness in life, in family,in society,avoiding discriminations of all sorts and extending help to all in need. They should continue to proclaim this, day and night, forgetting all cosy life style. We do not want a political Christianity, but only Christ’s precepts and practices
During the Congress regime this issue was not raised by the Sikh leader. Why suddenly he should react like this? I see the BJP’s hand in it. The conversion issue, targeting the Christian institutions and other harassment on the minority communities are their hidden agenda. No doubt about it? Why to blame the Sikh leader. He is only a puppet. This is the bitter reality.
Sikhs are already weapon trained. I went through this carefully yesterday to see if he wants village churches closed. There is no mention. He wants Sikh evangelists to increase their activity. Competitive. Fair enough. So must church. Peacefully and carefully without being confrontational it’s
Casteism is deeply rooted in Punjab. The lower castes flock to Deras like that of Baba Ram Rahim and not to the gurudwaras. Even the Indian army perpetuates the caste system. Only high caste Sikhs may join the Sikh and perhaps Punjab Regiments. Low caste Sikhs join the Sikh Light Infantry regiment that has its regimental centre in Fatehgarh in U.P.
During colonial times missionaries were very active in Lahore, Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. Their converts were mostly Majbi Sikhs who did scavenging work or were landless peasants. Christianity gave them human dignity. When the British left the Anglican and other churches had very few indigenous clergy so the people were abandoned. That is when the mighty institutional Catholic moved in to fill the void.
What about the Rupees Thirty Crores in cash in March 2019 for which he claims to have got a “clean chit” from the Income Tax department? Is this his episcopal vocation?
Shocked to hear the pathetic statement of Bp Angelo Gracias of Jalandhar claiming that we don’t convert anybody because we are Catholics! Then what is he there for – to run multi-core commercial enterprises like selling stationary uniforms, providing security guards, bus services, construction contracts etc as publicly admitted by him?