Disturbing Details Of Conversion Emerges: 3,000 Sikhs Converted To Christians In Pilibhit

A case of mass religious conversions has recently come to light in Sikh-majority villages near the India-Nepal border in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. This issue is not only about religion but also raises concerns about a possible organized effort, possibly involving both national and international factors.

Over 3,000 Sikhs have converted to Christianity in recent years, as per the All India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council. These conversions have mainly taken place in villages under the Hazara police station area, including Bailaha, Tatarganj, Bamanpura Bhagirath, and Singhara. An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Sikhs live in this region, with most of them engaged in farming and small businesses. Since 2020, local people and Sikh groups have noticed a rise in conversion activities in these villages close to the Nepal border.

These efforts are mainly being carried out by Protestant pastors from Nepal, along with some local individuals who act as pastors. They are reportedly encouraging conversions by offering financial help, spreading superstitions, and holding events promising protection from diseases.

How Intimidation and Manipulation Control the Masses ?

The issue came to light when Manjit Kaur, a Sikh woman from Bailaha village in Pilibhit, filed a complaint at the Hazara police station on May 13. She revealed that her husband had already been converted to Christianity, and now she and her children were being pressured to follow suit. Manjit claimed that when she refused to convert, her crops were destroyed and her children were assaulted. She further stated that those pressuring her had promised government benefits and Rs 2 lakh in cash to encourage the conversion. However, none of these promises were kept. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case against eight named individuals and several unidentified people.

Harpal Singh Jaggi, president of the All India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council, addressed the issue in a press conference at Gurdwara Shri Singh Sabha. He stated that nearly 3,000 Sikhs in mainly Sikh-populated villages in Pilibhit have converted to Christianity. He also submitted a list of 160 such families to the district authorities for further action. In one similar case, Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht – the highest temporal authority of Sikhs – has accused Christian missionaries of carrying out forced conversion programmes targeting Sikh families in Punjab’s border areas In October 2021. He claimed that many Sikh individuals, including members of the Scheduled Caste community, are being lured with money and other incentives to convert to Christianity.

“Missionaries are using financial and other means to pressure Sikh families in the border belt to adopt Christianity,” said the Jathedar. “This is not just a religious issue—it’s a direct interference in the internal matters of the Sikh community, and it cannot be tolerated.” However, the Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar has strongly denied the allegations, rejecting claims of forced conversions by Christian groups.

Additionally, the Supreme Court raised concerns about religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, or allurement. The court stated that such practices could harm national security and violate citizens’ freedom of religion and conscience. It urged the Central Government to take steps and clarify what measures it plans to implement to stop forced or deceitful religious conversions.

Other Cases Of Conversion:

Punjab: Border Regions and Majha Area

In Punjab’s border regions and economically weaker villages such as those in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and parts of the Malwa belt concerns have been raised about alleged religious conversions among marginalized Sikh communities. According to reports by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Akal Takht, and local media, certain pastors are said to be targeting Dalit Sikhs and Mazhabi Sikhs through healing gatherings and promises of financial support. While there are no widespread claims of physical coercion, Sikh leaders argue that many vulnerable families are being misled due to poverty and lack of awareness. In 2022, the SGPC publicly accused some Christian missionaries of exploiting the economic hardships of these communities to facilitate conversions and urged the Punjab government to intervene and address the issue.

Chhattisgarh: Tribal Regions

In the tribal regions of Chhattisgarh, particularly in Bastar and surrounding areas, Christian missionary activities have been active for many years. While these efforts primarily focus on local tribal populations, there have been concerns raised about their impact on individuals from other communities, including Sikhs who have migrated to or settled in the region. Although there are no widely confirmed cases of forced conversions of Sikhs in these areas, various social and religious groups have expressed apprehension about the nature and intensity of missionary outreach. These concerns often center around the use of persuasive methods that may take advantage of economically or socially vulnerable populations.

Haryana: Ambala and Yamunanagar

In 2023, concerns emerged in Haryana’s Ambala and Yamunanagar districts, where local Sikh leaders alleged that certain Christian groups were converting economically disadvantaged Sikh families. These conversions were reportedly encouraged through offers of job assistance and healing prayers. In response to these claims, several Sikh religious organizations launched awareness campaigns in the affected areas to educate the community and reinforce their faith, aiming to prevent vulnerable families from being influenced under the guise of help or spiritual intervention.

Madhya Pradesh: Tribal Areas

In Madhya Pradesh, where Sikhs form a small minority, a few isolated incidents have been reported involving conversions among economically struggling Sikh families, particularly within migrant communities. These cases raised concerns about the possible targeting of vulnerable groups. However, local pastors involved in the incidents denied any wrongdoing or coercion. Given the state’s strict anti-conversion law, some of these cases were formally investigated by authorities to determine whether any violations had occurred.

Moreover, the geographical location of Pilibhit, which lies close to the Nepal border, adds another layer of complexity to the issue. This area has long been known for cross-border movement, and investigative agencies suspect that some NGOs and missionary groups operating from Nepal may be involved in religious conversion efforts in the region.

Harpal Singh Jaggi highlighted that Nepalese pastors have been active in this area since 2012, focusing particularly on converting members of the Sikh community, allegedly under the influence of foreign organisations. He stressed that the matter goes beyond religious concerns and poses a potential threat to the country’s internal security. Local Sikh leaders believe that poverty and lack of education are the main factors making people vulnerable to conversion. They argue that individuals who are economically disadvantaged and socially marginalized are more likely to fall prey to such influences.