On Baisakhi, Akal Takht jathedar & BJP spar over conversion

Amritsar: A fresh controversy has erupted over alleged religious conversions in Punjab after the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, dismissed claims of large-scale Sikh conversions as "completely false", prompting sharp criticism from BJP.Speaking on Baisakhi (Khalsa Sajna Diwas), Giani Gargaj said the narrative claiming that Sikhs are converting to other religions is false. He said a true Sikh remained steadfast in faith and is prepared to sacrifice their life for it. Those drifting towards other beliefs may do so due to a lack of understanding of Sikh teachings and falling prey to "imposters" and superstitions, he said. "It is incorrect to blame the entire community for the actions of a few. The need of the hour is to strengthen preaching and awareness of Sikh principles," he said, urging Sikhs to embrace ‘Khande Bate di Pahul' (Sikh baptism ceremony started by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699) and uphold the distinct identity bestowed by the Gurus, including the use of ‘Singh' and ‘Kaur'.Exactly a month ago, at a ‘Badlav rally' in Moga, Union home minister Amit Shah had promised the party's first legislation would be to ban religious conversions in Punjab if it won the next election. "Under AAP govt, religious conversions have reached alarming levels. A BJP govt in Punjab will bring its first bill to ban religious conversions," Shah had said.Giani Gargaj's remarks drew a strong response from BJP Punjab spokesperson Sarchand Singh, who accused the jathedar of downplaying a "serious and sensitive" issue. Sarchand alleged that concerns over "illegal and non-doctrinal conversions" have been raised not only within the Sikh community but also at the national level. "On one hand, the jathedar acknowledges such trends and cautions people; but, on the other, he claims it is not a challenge for the Panth. This appears to be a deliberate attempt to dilute the issue," he said, linking the stance to the political line of Shiromani Akali Dal led by Sukhbir Singh Badal.The BJP spokesperson claimed that the Christian population in Punjab had seen a significant rise in the past decade and questioned the rationale behind Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) deploying hundreds of preaching committees if conversions were not a concern. He questioned the role of religious leadership, asking who would safeguard the Panth's identity if its top custodians did not treat the matter with urgency.