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The Rapid Christianization of Punjab

By Shruti Dasgupta
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Shruti Dasgupta
Shruti Dasgupta

Punjab is under silent Christianization under the watchful eyes of the AAP government and Jatt Sikh! This rapid Christianization occures mainly in rural Punjab comes particularly among the Dalit Sikhs community.

Many analysts have flagged societal inequities as a primary cause of the aggressive hold evangelists have in Punjab! Moreover, the billions being poured into evangelical activities are aided by cultural appropriation of Sikhs to confuse the naive. Beneath the surface lies a complex interplay of caste dynamics, poverty, and religious exploitation that is reshaping the identity of this historic region.

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The Caste Divide in Punjab: Fertile Ground for Conversion

Punjab’s Sikh community is often cited as a monolithic entity. However, in reality, it is deeply divided along caste lines. The Jatt Sikhs’ have a feudal format of land ownership, unilateral grip on political influence, and anti-Sanatana religious authority like the SGPC! Thus, the Sikh populaiton is being brainwashed into anti-Hindu sentiments. And the Dalit Sikhs, often referred to as Mazhabi Sikhs or Ramdasias, face systemic marginalization.

Parties in Punjab promise Dalits space, they have it in religion already | Ludhiana News - Times of India
PC Times of India

According to the 2011 Census, Dalits constitute 31.94% of Punjab’s population, making it the state with the highest proportion of Scheduled Castes in India.

Despite Sikhism’s rejection of caste, these communities have long been denied equitable access to resources, respect, and opportunities. From separate Gurudwaras to separate Smashan zones, the Sikh community has an unbreached social caste line. This social exclusion has created fertile ground for foreign-funded evangelical groups.

These NGOs offer material benefits like education, healthcare, and financial aid to lower-caste Sikhs in the name of social equality.

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Harvesting Souls: Punjab's new religious conversion war – G. Shreekumar Menon | BHARATA BHARATI
PC BHARATA BHARATI

Evangelical organizations strategically target these disenfranchised groups. They misuse the rural naivete and simplicity to present Christianity as a path to dignity and empowerment. The allure of economic upliftment, coupled with promises of miracles and divine intervention, has led to a surge in conversions. Moreover, better living conditions, Foreign Visas for jobs, and monetary incentives also plat a huge role in Christianization of Punjab.  

Rebranding Jesus: Cultural Appropriation at Play

Proselytisation in Punjab: How Mazhabi Sikhs and Valmiki Hindus are being 'lured' into Christianity - News18
PC News18: Most converted Punjabi Christians do not change their status on paper to continue enjoying benefits of Reservations, however, they no longer follow the path of their fore-fathers.

Evangelists in Punjab have adopted a unique strategy to appeal to Sikhs, by reappropriating Sikh symbols, terminology, and even folk traditions. Thereby, aiming to blur the lines between Sikhism and Christianity. 

Words like Gurbani, Khalsa, Sangat, Kirtan, and Ardas are frequently used in Christian gatherings to give a sense of continuity with Sikh practices.

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Punjabi folk songs, historically rich in devotion to Waheguru, are rewritten to glorify Yesu or Jesus. In some villages, Christian hymns are sung in the style of Gurbani Kirtan, complete with harmoniums, tablas, and bhangras. Thereby, creating a cultural confusion that accelerates conversions.

Evangelical leaders often present Guru Nanak’s concept of the One Universal God as a reference to Jesus Christ as the One True God!

This reinterpretation twists Sikhism’s advaitic teachings into a monotheistic narrative that aligns with Christian theology. Fake pastors like Bajinder Singh, often hold gatherings to dupe the naive rural Punjabis into believing in fake miracles of Christianity. They have massive sabhas where “healings” and “divine interventions” are staged to win over rural populations.

Christianization  – A Rising Trend In Rural Punjab

The official data on conversions is scarce. Why? Because the converted Sikhs continue to stay Dalits on paper. This way they enjoy the benefits of Reservations while following Christianity as a religion. Hence, any observation is heavily depenedent on anecdotal evidence and independent studies. They reveal a worrying trend:

  • Rapid Growth of Churches: United Christian Front’s Kamal Bakshi reported that in 12,000 villages of Punjab, there are 8,000 church groups. Moreover, he stated that 70% of the Churches in Pun jab sprang up in the last 3 years. Punjab as a state is under dramatic attack with the rising number of independent churches, particularly in rural areas. A study by the Centre for Policy Studies (2020) estimated that over 600 new churches have been established in the state over the last decade.
  • Dalit Dominance in Conversions: Dalit Sikhs form the majority of converts. In some districts like Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Kapurthala, entire villages have converted, abandoning Sikh and Hindu traditions for Christianity. Here the rurals are allowed to keep their Turbans and Kadas to lull them into complacency in their newfound faith in Christ!
  • Foreign Funding: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) database, Punjab received over ₹100 crore in foreign funding between 2015 and 2021 for Christian missionary activities. These organizations are being pursued for closure by the Union Government. However, Organizations like World Vision and Believers Church continue to play a significant role in this religious transformation of Punjab.

AAP Government’s Silence: Complicity or Indifference?

The state government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been conspicuously silent on Chrisitianization of Punjab. While Sikh religious leaders and organizations like the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have raised alarms, there has been little political will to address the situation.

Critics accuse the government of turning a blind eye to conversions due to political calculations.

Some say that the fear of alienating Dalit voters, who are increasingly drawn to Christian organizations, seems to outweigh concerns about preserving Punjab’s cultural identity. Others state that AAP is funded by the very same bosses who fund the Christianization of Punjab. Hence, either way Punjab is left vulnerable to aggressive conversions under AAP rule!

Preserving Punjab’s Heritage

Punjab is one of Bharat’s rich in history states. Its Sanatani Sikhs were Shakti worshippers who followed Advaita practices to raise arms against Islamic invaders. Hence, Chritianization of Punjab is not merely a religious issue but a complex socio-economic and cultural phenomenon.

While the promise of dignity and economic upliftment draws marginalized communities toward Christianity, the long-term consequences for Punjab’s identity are profound.

Slogans of “Waheguru da Khalsa” are being morphed for religious gains by conversion enthusiasts. As Christians replace their Santa Claus with relateable Punjabi Santa Singh, Punjab stands at a crossroads. The state must address the root causes of conversions – caste inequities, poverty, and lack of opportunity! Therefore, only by confronting its feudal land ownership structure and mending caste line will Punjab be able to safeguard its cultural heritage. Else, analysts predict that complete Christianization of Punjab by 2030!

Thus, the only question remains: will Punjab reclaim its spiritual and cultural legacy, or will it continue to drift toward a future shaped by external influences?

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