Two arrested for “forced Christian conversion” on Sikh

Pressure from Sikh orgs on Indian authorities to investigate concerns about forced Christian conversions in Punjab have resulted in the arrest of two men.

Reports of Punjab’s impoverished Sikh community being forced and/or financially coerced into converting to Christianity have caused tensions to rise between the communities. Earlier this month the Akal Takht (supreme Sikh body of authority) Jathedar (head) Harpreet Singh calls for authorities to look into the issue, following Sikh acts of disruption to Christian conversion events which went viral across the globe.

Read more on that from Sikh PA here.

Media reports (released on 13.09.22) from India have named Balkar Masih and Jagtar Singh as those arrested for forcing one Onkar Singh to convert into following Christianity. Police stated that the duo made repeated visits to the home of Onkar Singh in Ludhiana, pressuring him into converting. Police have cited this officially as “forced conversion”. In such instances promises made in regards to paying off debts, finding miracle cures for illnesses and emotional pressure are usually part of what makes individuals convert.

Onkar Singh’s forced conversion issue was looked into after local Sikh orgs, including representatives of respected Sikh seminary Dam-Dami Taksal, pressed the issue with local police.

Some Punjab based Christian groups have condemned the actions of the Christian groups involved in the forced conversions with Apostolic administrator of the Jalandhar Diocese, Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias calling the actions of some Christian groups “suspicious” and admitting there was “aggressive proselytization” in Punjab in a recent media interview.