Amritsar: The reconversion of 128 persons to Sikhism by an Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) wing at Guru-ki-Wadali village in Amritsar district has come under sharp attack from Akal Takht.
As many as 23 poor families, who had embraced Christianity, were on Tuesday brought back into the fold of Sikhism by the Dharam Jagran Manch, the Sikh wing of the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS).
The Manch had organised a “Ghar Wapsi” (homecoming) event at Baba Jiwan Singh Gurdwara in Guru-ki-Wadali village, near Chheharta. Criticising the move, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Wednesday (Dec. 31) said the entire episode would be scrutinised before any action is taken against the gurdwara management. “Forcing someone to change his/her religion out of allurement or persecution has been always opposed by Sikh Gurus. Sikh Master Guru Teg Bahadur and his grandsons had laid down their lives against forceful change of religion.
It’s not appropriate to take advantage of someone’s poor economic condition and force them to adopt a particular religion. I have asked for a thorough report on yesterday’s episode. Action will be taken after studying the report,” he said.
Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Kewal Singh termed the re-conversion move as vote-bank politics. “The episode clearly shows how Sikh religious bodies have failed to support the economically weaker section of the community,” he said.
Former Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti such incidents make a mockery of religion. SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said such a programme was never conducted by the SGPC. “The maryada (religious code of conduct) is applicable only if a person wants to be a puran (baptised) Sikh. In that case, he would have to undergo Amrit Sanchar (the Sikh ceremony of initiation), and don all five articles of faith — kesh, kangha, kara, kachera and kirpan,” he said.
Former head of GNDU’s Guru Nanak Study Centre and SGPC’s former director of Sikh Religious Studies (correspondence course) Dr Jasbir Singh Sabar said: “Except for Amritdhari Sikhs, there is no particular prescribed norm for a person who wants to adopt Sikhism, its practices or rituals.”