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Punjab CM Channi Defends Religious Conversions, Attacked By Top Sikh Leaders

| Updated: 05 February, 2022 11:08 am IST

NEW DELHI: A day after Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi defended religious conversions in the state in an exclusive interview with the New Indian, several Sikh leaders leaders are now hitting out at him for hurting the sentiments of Sikhs.

When asked about the conversion of impoverished and underprivileged Sikhs to Christianity in the state, Channi had said, “The Sikhs have to introspect what is plaguing our relgion. Why are our people forsaking the religion and embracing other faiths. If they don’t get enough love, they march towards other religions. We must give love to everyone and take everyone along.”

Reacting to this, the Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, tweeted: “Another gem from the apprentice Punjab CM! Defends religious conversions. Blames ‘lack of love’ as the reason. Remains silent on coercion & other unscrupulous means. Wants Sikhs, the ambassadors of universal brotherhood, oneness & sewa of humanity to take the blame.”

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the former MLA from Delhi’s Rajouri Garden constituency, also slammed Channi’s statement. “What can be more shamneful and distressing for Sikhs that their own Sikh CM is legitimising conversions. Is that a hint that he has already embrace Christianity?” he tweeted.

“Our Guru Sahibs made supreme sacrifices of their lives to protect our faith and freedom of religion. Today, a Sikh CM has stooped so low that he is justifying conversion for votes!” he added.

However, Channi has denied that he has forsaken his faith and converted to Christianity.

This recent controversy can have an impact on the upcoming Punjab assembly elections which is the only Sikh-majority state in the country.

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