Lucknow : The India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council and Lucknow Gurudwara Management Committee jointly held a press conference at the UP Press Club, Lucknow, to express deep concern over alleged incidents of forced religious conversions driven by enticement and superstition in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Pilibhit district.
Sardar Rajendra Singh Bagga, President of the Lucknow Gurudwara Committee, acknowledged the efforts of Sardar Harpal Singh Jaggi, Acting President of the Gurudwara Committee and National President of the India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council, who was the first to expose the mass conversions taking place among the Rai Sikh community in several villages of Pilibhit.
Sardar Harpal Singh Jaggi, addressing the press, announced that the council would soon launch statewide awareness campaigns, public meetings, and religious outreach programs to counter such activities. He urged the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the financial sources behind those offering money to lure people into converting and demanded scrutiny into the potential network of secondary operatives working behind the scenes.
“We call upon the government to improve employment opportunities, education, and medical facilities in these vulnerable areas to empower people and reduce the appeal of such inducements,” said Jaggi. He also thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Pilibhit DM Jitendra Singh, and SP Abhishek Yadav for taking the matter seriously and initiating action.
Representatives from Gurudwara Balha, Pilibhit including President Gurudayal Singh, Secretary Paramjeet Singh, and Jarnail Singh urged civil society and NGOs to stay vigilant in their respective regions and report any signs of coercive conversion.
Sardar Devendra Singh Bagga warned that forced conversions are threatening the cultural fabric of Pilibhit and could spread further if not checked. Sardar Tejpal Singh Romi, President of Gurudwara Sadar, highlighted how foreign-funded NGOs and economic inequality are fueling this growing crisis.
Dr. Harmeet Kaur from Kanpur emphasized the need to evaluate the implementation of government welfare schemes and understand why they are failing to reach the grassroots level.
In a sharp critique, Jaggi noted, “While the Yogi government has dismantled the illegal conversion racket in Pilibhit, the Punjab government should learn from this model. Unfortunately, in Punjab, some leaders are themselves attending superstitious gatherings, compromising the state’s internal security.” He also revealed that foreign agencies, including those promoting Protestant literature and Korean calendars, are suspected of backing these activities.
According to reports, the Pilibhit police have registered FIRs against 15 individuals, and two key accused have been jailed under stringent charges.
S. Nirmal Singh, President, and S. Surinder Singh Bakshi, Vice President of Gurudwara Alambagh, stressed the need for reviving Sikh historical awareness and religious education in these regions. They pledged full support to the welfare council’s outreach efforts.
The press meet was attended by several prominent members, including Gurpreet Singh (Gurudwara Memira), Ajit Singh (Gurudwara Chander Nagar), Rajinder Singh Bagga, Hardeep Singh from Khalsa Chowk Sitapur, Raju Aneja, and Transport Nagar President Sarbjit Singh.
The conference concluded with a call for unified community action, government intervention, and social responsibility to safeguard religious harmony and constitutional rights in Uttar Pradesh.
