SGPC Team to Check Reports of Huge Christian Conversion of Sikh people in UP’s Pilibhit.

Mass Conversions of Sikhs in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit near Indo-Nepal Border Spark Concerns: A Deepening Crisis.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | May 25, 2025::  A shocking revelation has emerged from the border districts of Uttar Pradesh, where thousands of Sikhs are alleged to have converted to Christianity in recent years. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken cognizance of the matter and announced an investigation into the reports of mass conversions in Pilibhit, near the India-Nepal border.

The Conversion Conundrum

According to reports, over 3,000 Sikhs have converted to Christianity in the predominantly Sikh hamlets of Pilibhit, with some families allegedly being misled through false promises of medical treatment, financial benefits, and other lures. The conversions are said to be orchestrated by Protestant pastors from Nepal and local individuals designated as pastors, who are capitalizing on poverty, illiteracy, and superstition to persuade Sikhs to convert.

A Pattern of Coercion

The matter came to light when Manjit Kaur, a Sikh woman from Bailaha village, filed a complaint at the Hazara police station in Pilibhit. She alleged that her husband had been lured into Christianity and she and her children were facing pressure to convert as well. According to Manjit, the perpetrators enticed her with promises of government benefits and Rs 2 lakh, but none of the commitments were fulfilled. When she refused to convert, her fields were destroyed, and her kids were assaulted.

SGPC’s Response

SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has expressed deep concern over the reports of mass conversions and urged the Uttar Pradesh government to take strict action against those involved in coercive or deceitful religious conversions. “Such attempts to convert individuals through coercion or inducement are completely unacceptable,” Dhami said. A team of Sikh preachers, led by the head of SGPC’s Sikh Mission in Uttar Pradesh, will investigate the issue and submit a detailed report.

Government Action

The district authorities have taken note of the issue, and an FIR has been registered against eight named and dozens of unidentified individuals for illegal conversion activities. The government has been urged to take strict action against those involved in coercive or deceitful religious conversions.

The Human Cost

The mass conversions have raised concerns about a potentially orchestrated conspiracy at both national and international scales. The issue has also highlighted the vulnerability of the Sikh community in the border districts, where poverty, illiteracy, and superstition are rampant. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the government will take effective measures to protect the rights and identity of the Sikh community.

Punjab’s Own Problem

The issue of mass conversions is not limited to UP’s Pilibhit. Punjab, a state with a significant Sikh population, is also grappling with a similar problem. Many Sikhs in Punjab have been converting to Christianity, often due to economic or social pressures. According to some estimates, there are over 5 lakh Christians in Punjab, with many of them being converts from Sikhism. The Sikh community in Punjab has expressed concerns about the growing number of conversions and the potential impact on their cultural and religious identity.

The Numbers

– Over 3,000 Sikhs have converted to Christianity in recent years in Pilibhit
– Between 20,000 and 30,000 Sikhs live in the villages within the jurisdiction of the Hazara police station in Pilibhit
– 160 families have been identified as having converted to Christianity, according to the All India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council

The incident is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Sikh community in the Indo-Nepal border districts in Uttar Pradesh and the need for effective measures to protect their rights and identity. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will take concrete steps to address the issue and prevent further conversions.
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