Punjab has become a hotbed of religious conversions. Severely afflicted by narcotics and Khalistan issues, this new menace, ignited by American-trained Christian missionaries and managed by Kerala evangelical groups, adds to Punjab’s woes. … Both central and state governments have been treating the problem of conversion very lightly, hence the nation is seeing rampant foreign-funded conversions in most southern states and even far-flung areas like Tawang and Uttarakhand. – Dr. G. Shreekumar Menon
Amritpal Singh’s sudden rise to fame and power has reignited fears of a revival of Khalistan demand. Though he was just a truck driver in Dubai, his return and taking up the cause of Khalistan along with the prevailing decadence caused by massive drug addiction among the youth of Punjab, and the religious conversions being coordinated by missionaries from Kerala, needs to be understood in its correct perspective.
Drug trafficking and drug addiction plaguing Punjab is a very old story. The failure of many governments in the state to handle the issue firmly has led to the ruination of lakhs of families. Simultaneously, the drug trade has spread its tentacles deep into the political landscape and the bureaucracy, which has led to the suspicion and fear that many top officials and politicians have been compromised and hence, the reluctance to fight the problem seriously.
Drugs are also being pumped from across the border, adding to the severity of the problem. Distressed parents, hampered by inadequate treatment facilities for their wards, inability to defray the medical expenses, and facing legal cases and the consequent expenses, are distraught that the government is unable to stop the menace.
Punjab has, of late, become a hotbed of religious conversions. Already, severely afflicted by narcotics and Khalistan issues, this new menace, ignited by American-trained Christian missionaries and managed by Kerala evangelical groups, adds to Punjab’s woes.
The average Sikh view this as an attempt to destroy Sikhism. The sudden spurt in conversions is targeting the Mazhabi Sikhs and Dalit Hindus, to renounce their ancestral faith and switch loyalties to the foreign faith – Christianity. Like elsewhere in India, money plays a big role in Christian conversion activities.
Influential families of economically weaker sections are lured by money and other material goods to change their faith. Thereafter, these families are engaged on a commission basis to bring in their relations, friends and acquaintances, who are enticed to convert. The new converts are also tasked with getting more converts. In this way, the conversion game starts escalating in geometric progression. In order to not alert the authorities and political parties, the conversions happen very subtly and innocuously. The converts are strongly compelled to retain their Sikh/Hindu names, caste identities and lifestyles.
Filed under: india, punjab | Tagged: christian missionaries, drug addiction, government indifference, national security risk, religious conversion | Comments Off on Harvesting Souls: Punjab’s new religious conversion war – G. Shreekumar Menon
