Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on December 25 underlined the need for a strong social movement against forced religious conversion, calling it a crime. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at a gurdwara in Chandmari, on the outskirts of Agartala, during the observance of Veer Bal Diwas.
Recalling the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzade—the younger sons of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh—the chief minister said their martyrdom continues to inspire people even today. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in 2022 that December 26 would be observed as Veer Bal Diwas in memory of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.
Referring to the brutal killing of the two Sahibzade, aged nine and six, Saha said the incident highlighted the extreme cruelty of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. “They were killed simply because they refused to give up their faith. Their sacrifice remains a powerful symbol of courage and resistance against oppression,” he said.
Emphasising the relevance of Veer Bal Diwas, the chief minister said the occasion reminds people to speak out against forced religious conversion. “Religion is a matter of personal choice. Any conversion done through force or inducement is a crime,” he said, also mentioning the persecution faced by Kashmiri Pandits.
Saha also expressed concern over the steady decline in the Hindu population in Pakistan. “After Independence, the situation in East Pakistan and West Pakistan was different. But over the years, the Hindu population there has reduced alarmingly,” he said.
Calling for collective efforts, the chief minister said the issue of forced religious conversion should be raised not only within the country but also at international platforms.