Amaan Bali: Kashmiri Leadership Reacts As Sikh Anti-Conversion Protests Continue
The Grand Mufti Nasir-Ul-Islam condemned the alleged incident and assured the full support of the Muslim community in fighting abductions and forced conversions
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Amaan Bali
June 28, 2021 | 1.5 min. read | Original Reporting
Kashmiri Sikhs continue to protest after revelations from this weekend concerning the alleged abduction and forced marriage and conversion to Islam of Manmeet Kaur, 18, by a 29-year-old Muslim man.
The Sikh Sangat gathered again at Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib, where DSGMC President, Manjinder Sirsa, addressed them and briefed them about the ongoing conversations with officials.
Sirsa had a telephone conversation with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, appraising him about the situation. Shah assured Sirsa that action will be taken in multiple cases of alleged forced conversions and that he will be meeting a delegation of Kashmiri Sikhs to listen to their concerns in detail.
Sirsa also met DGP Dilbagh Singh later in the day. Dilbagh Singh assured the DSGMC delegation that swift action will be taken in the case.
Today also saw sections of the Muslim community come out in support of the Sikh community and Manmeet’s family. The Grand Mufti Nasir-Ul-Islam condemned the alleged incident and assured the full support of the Muslim community in fighting any incident of abductions and forced conversions.
Another Muslim cleric, from the Shia community, also condemned the alleged act and called it against humanity. Aga Syed stressed that there is a need for anti-conversion law because it is completely in line with Islam.
Some solidarity was also seen on the ground where people from the majority Muslim Kashmiri community held placards in support of the Sikh community.
The Sikh community has also been battling misinformation on social media about the case as many have been confusing various cases with Manmeet’s. For example, some have been wrongfully suggesting that Manmeet is over 30 years old, using a picture of another woman who actually is in jail.
Another example of a false rumour is how some have been sharing a statement, of an older case, by a Dalmeet Kaur, who had eloped and converted in 2012, as a statement from Manmeet proving she wilfully converted.
The SGPC has also issued a statement, making clear their position the matter, after some news reports falsely attributed conflicting statements from them.
The Sikh community has vowed amidst their protest that no further conversions will be allowed and all actions will be taken to prevent such alleged incidents in the future. As the case unfolds, the anger of the community has ignited debates on anti-conversion laws in the Kashmir valley.
Editor’s Note: Manmeet’s age has been re-corrected to 18 as new information has been provided. The age of the Muslim man has been corrected to 29.
Amaan Bali is born and raised in Kashmir. He is an entrepreneur and author of the upcoming book, “Growing up on the right side of Kashmir History”. You can find him on Twitter at @amaanbali.
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