‘Khuaar Hoye Sab Milenge’: Acting Akal Takht Jathedar launches campaign against religious conversion of Dalits in Punjab

In his address, Gargaj stated that under the campaign, efforts will be made to spread Sikhism throughout Punjab’s villages and cities. It will also address the recent increase in religious conversions in the state and promote unity among Sikh organisations. The campaign has been initiated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) Dharam Prachar Committee under the Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Various programmes will be organised across Punjab and other states as part of the campaign in a bid to uplift families spiritually through the Gurbani and Gurmat (Guru’s wisdom), the Akal Takht Jathedar said, adding that he will personally visit villages and reconnect with those who have “drifted away”.

“Anti-Sikh Deras in Punjab are a major concern and must be collectively countered. About 150 years ago, when four Sikhs in Amritsar announced their conversion, the leading Sikh scholars of the time united the Panth and launched the Singh Sabha movement. Similar conspiracies are ongoing today against Sikh families with less understanding of Sikhism,” he said.

“A true Sikh may sacrifice limb by limb, but never abandons Sikhism,” said Gargaj, who is also the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

“Those who are lost are often deceived through false hopes, temptations, and pretentious teachings, but a true Sikh remains steadfast in Sikh values. A key reason behind religious conversions is that people have been distanced from the Guru’s philosophy,” he said.

Gargaj slammed the “false narrative” that Punjab is a land of caste discrimination, and said that it is the land of the Gurus, where such practices do not hold sway.

“Efforts to divide Sikhs of different backgrounds, such as the narrative of separating ‘Ragrete Sikhs (referring to Mazhabi Sikhs) are part of conspiracies which the Sikh Panth will never allow to succeed. There is a need to prevent internal conflicts within the community. The Guru gave Sikhs the principle of ‘Dasvandh (contributing a tenth of one’s income)’, and every Sikh should ensure their contributions directly help underprivileged families,” he said, while asking families in the country and overseas to ensure that their Dasvandh donations are reaching the right people.

During the launch of the campaign, SGPC executive committee member Amrik Singh Vichchoa noted that the “area has issues of religious conversion” and offered suggestions to “counter this effectively under the Sikh preaching initiative.”

Jathedar Gargaj appealed to all Sikh organisations, including the Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh jathebandis, Kar Sewa saints and Singh Sabhas to fully support the campaign.