Amritsar, July 16
The Akal Takht today expressed concern over the “conversions” of Sikhs and said people in rural areas were the soft targets.
“Religious conversion is rampant in Punjab. This is a cause for concern. People, especially those living in villages, are the soft targets. They convert their religion in lieu of petty allurements,” said Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on the martyrdom day of Bhai Taru Singh.
“Bhai Taru Singh remained firm in face of tough times. He had his head scalped rather than cutting his hair and converting to Islam during the Mughal rule,” he said.
The Jathedar further said Bhai Taru Singh should be the role model of the youth but, unfortunately, they got inspired by film heroes and deviate from the path of the Sikh faith.
A large number of Sikhs, a majority of them Dalits, have converted to Christianity in border areas, including Ajnala, Majitha, Dera Baba Nanak, Fatehgarh Churian, Batala and Gurdaspur.
On the occasion, “dhadi jathas” (balladeers) and school students shared views about the life of Bhai Taru Singh.
Cause for concern
Religious conversion is rampant in Punjab. This is a cause for concern. People, especially those living in villages, are the soft targets. They convert their religion in lieu of petty allurements. — Giani Harpreet Singh, Akal Takht acting Jathedar
Akal Takht Jathedar: Rural youth soft targets for ‘conversions’
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