Amritsar: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday expressed his concerns over the alarming rise in the conversion of Sikhs to Christianity in Punjab and said it is causing a lot of difficulties for Sikhs.
“Sikhs are facing a lot of difficulties that are making us weak religiously, socially & economically. Christianity is being spread across villages of Punjab to weaken us,” Giani Harpreet Singh said.
He was speaking during his customary address to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht’s podium to mark the 38th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’.
He further said, “I appeal to all Sikhs, especially those in border areas to spread & strengthen Sikhism. If we’re not strong religiously, we won’t be strong socially & economically which will lead to our political weakening.”
“We should focus on setting up shooting ranges to get training in weapons. The others are getting training in weapons illegally,” said the Jathedar amidst pro-Khalistan slogans.
He also asserted that every Sikh should learn the use of modern weapons.
In 2021, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) launched a special drive in rural areas of Punjab to keep a tab on the conversion activities of the Christian missionaries.
Amid aggressive proselytisation campaigns run by the agenda-driven missionaries and videos circulating on social media platforms showing mass conversions in Punjab, the SGPC has come under attack from within the Sikh community for not doing enough to protect the faith.
Christian missionaries’ activities in the state have become a new sore point for Punjab. The clutches of these religious syndicates have alarmingly penetrated deep into society. They have left no stone unturned to succeed in converting the demography of the border state.
