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Journalism of Courage
ROOPNAGAR, Jan 3: All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Harminder Singh Gill has warned that the Sikh minority could be the next target of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which is ‘responsible’ for spate of attacks on Christian missionaries in Gujarat.
In the same breath, he cautioned the warring Akali Dal leaders of impending danger to their political survival in case apostasy among the Sikhs was allowed to go unchecked. Speaking to the mediapersons at the Boat Club here last evening, Gill asked the Akali leadership to intensify baptism campaign across the state to bring apostates back into the Sikh fold.
Lamenting the attacks on Christian missionaries on the conversion issue, Gill said, "Tomorrow VHP might question the Sikh identity on this count."
Gill made it clear that any attempt to project Sikhs as part of the Hindu religion was not acceptable. He pointed out that apostasy has been persisting in the Sikh institutions, leave apart government colleges and schools. "In most SGPC-run Khasla colleges, young boys are distancing from Sikh values," he said. He demanded that strict code of conduct be imposed at these institutions to discourage apostasy among the youth and attributed the problem to the absence of a charismatic leadership.
Though he appreciated the contribution of late Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in bringing apostates back into the Sikh fold, he said, there is no parallel between the slain extremist leader and Ashok Singhal of the VHP. "Unlike VHP leaders, Bhindranwale never wanted non-sikhs to convert".
Lamenting that "communal colour" was given to Bhindranwale’s "amrit parchar", he said, "his absence during the ongoing Khasla tercentuary celebrations was a big set back".
Calling the Akal Takht edict a New Year gift, Gill said the ministers who had earlier resigned from the Punjab Cabinet be immediately reinducted as a goodwill gesture. He added that unity is important for all practical reasons. "Crisis within the party will not only help the Congress, but will also bring religious programmes to a stand still," he warned.
