Why Inhumane Acts Are Justified in the Name of Religion?
The recent incident in Gurdaspur exposes a disturbing reality.
Rather than seeking medical treatment, a sick individual in Gurdaspur was deceived by a man who falsely claimed to be a pastor. This impostor convinced the patient that he was possessed by a ghost. Accompanied by ten followers, the charlatan pastor subjected the patient to brutal beatings, ultimately leading to his death.
While the fraudulent pastors have been taken into custody, the gravity of this issue is being overlooked by Sikh political leaders, the SGPC, and the government. Conversion practices within Christianity are not new, but the alarming rate at which conversions are occurring in Punjab raises serious concerns.
A documentary recently presented in Delhi highlighted the "magical rise of Christianity in Punjab," revealing a significant decrease in the Sikh population from 67% to 50%. According to the documentary, Sikhism is being converted into Christianity under the guise of offering financial assistance or medical treatment to the poor. A major flaw in this trend is the failure of Sikh religious leaders and preachers to effectively communicate Sikhism’s principles of equality and support to the public.
Those who truly understand Sikhism recognize that it does not rely on priests or sages for validation. Another issue is that the poor are not receiving the aid they need. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee can allocate 80 lakh rupees for advertisements to seek forgiveness for Sauda Sadh, but there are no reports of even a single penny being spent to assist the poor.
If funds were being directed to help the poor from religious institutions and if Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee schools provided free, quality education, the poor would not be tempted to turn to other religions. In Punjab, some schools have even banned Punjabi language and literature to distance children from Sikhism. If children are not taught Punjabi, how will they connect with the Shabad Guru?
Furthermore, politicians often prioritize votes over genuine concerns. If Akali Dal leaders can bend before Sauda Sadh for votes, it is unrealistic to expect better from other secularists. This political cycle has allowed various fraudulent religious places in Punjab to promote black magic unchecked. Politicians, driven by their own interests, have turned a blind eye to these false priests, becoming powerless due to their desire for political gain.
The recent incident in Gurdaspur exposes a disturbing reality: black magic is being used under the guise of religion to exploit the poor. This is a matter of grave concern. An investigation into the declining Sikh population and measures to curb fraud in the name of religion are urgently needed.
(The views are those of the author)