Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the 350th Shahidi Samagam “Hind-di-Chadar” Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji in Navi Mumbai on March 1, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (March 1, 2026) said religious conversions were taking place in Punjab and appealed to the people and the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to stop the practice, which is driven by “greed”.
Mr. Shah invoked the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur while addressing the ‘Hind-Di-Chadar’ commemoration event to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
“It was said here today that there is a religious conversion in Punjab. Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed himself to save the religion of others. They faced atrocities but today we prefer to convert because of some greed. Then we cannot be called followers of our great leaders. The Punjab government and the Punjab society should stop the religious conversions,” Mr Shah said.
If Guru Tegh Bahadur had not sacrificed himself to save the Hindu religion, “there would not have been a single Hindu left in the world”, Mr Shah said.
Some people have previously objected to the statement, adding that “everyone should accept this truth”.
Paying tribute, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the Guru faced grave injustice and atrocities and fought against enemies far more powerful than him. “His sacrifice inspired and gave courage to Hindus to continue the struggle,” he added.
Guru Nanak emphasized chanting God’s name, prayers and sharing food, emphasizing togetherness that later provided moral strength in resisting Mughal invaders, Mr. Shah said.
He also referred to Mughal ruler Aurangzeb and claimed that when atrocities were committed in Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits sought protection from the Guru and continue to hold him in high esteem.
“Guru Tegh Bahadur said that if Aurangzeb can convert me, then all people will be converted. Aurangzeb took it as a challenge,” Mr Shah said.
“He committed atrocities and killed the companions of Guru Tegh Bahadur, but the Guru never budged. Finally, Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed himself but did not surrender. His sacrifice inspired people to fight against Aurangzeb,” the minister said.
The followers of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ all over the world were grateful to the Sikh Guru, he said. “The traditions established by the 10 Sikh Gurus are worth emulating by the world,” Mr Shah said.
Published – 1 March 2026 22:28 IST
