SGPC launches drive to counter missionaries
AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has recently launched a special drive to counter alleged mass conversions of Sikhs to Christianity in Punjab.
Amid videos showing proselytising activities of Christian missionaries in the state being shared widely on social media, the apex Sikh body has come under criticism from within the community for not doing enough to “protect” the faith.
Named “Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamsaal (sacred shrine within every home)”, the SGPC campaign is adopting means used by Christian preachers and other traditional methods to spread Sikh literature and teachings across villages in the state.
“The campaign will not only bring firmness among Sikhs toward their faith, but also make the young generation take pride in their history and culture,” said SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.
150 teams of preachers dispatched to villages Under the campaign, 150 teams comprising seven preachers each have been dispatched to villages. They stay in the village for a week, and go from door to door to distribute Sikh literature. In the evening, they gather children at the local gurdwara to teach them the correct recitation of gurbani (hymn) and create awareness about the Sikh history, culture and philosophy.
A grand congregation is organised on the last day and an amrit sanchar (initiation rite) ceremony is held as well. The preachers also have an informal dialogue with villagers at saths (small gatherings at a common place in the village). In the coming days, the SGPC plans to double the number of teams with the help of Sikh missionary colleges.
Akal Takht jathedar points at foreign funds Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh alleged that the religious conversion drive is being run in Punjab with funds from foreign countries. “Converting Sikhs to another religion is worrisome ,” he said.
However, Emmanual Masih, Bishop of Punjab region, outrightly rejected all these allegations.
“The allegations that Sikhs are being lured or they are being forced to become Christians are totally baseless,” he said.