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Amaan Bali: Kashmiri Leadership Reacts As Sikh Anti-Conversion Protests Continue
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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

Jun 28, 2021
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Amaan Bali: Kashmiri Leadership Reacts As Sikh Anti-Conversion Protests Continue
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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.

Twitter avatar for @amaanbali
Amaan @amaanbali
In a first major statement Muslim cleric Aaga Syed Abid Hussain has condemned the forcible conversion of Sikh girl by a Muslim man. Abid Hussain expressed need for law against such conversions.
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9:01 AM ∙ Jun 28, 2021
197Likes65Retweets

Some solidarity was also seen on the ground where people from the majority Muslim Kashmiri community held placards in support of the Sikh community.

Twitter avatar for @amaanbali
Amaan @amaanbali
Ground Observations. 1. Kashmiri Muslim & Sikhs stand together in this and Muslims have now come forward to demand investigation & boycott of the perpetrators. 2. Muslims of Kashmir have no problems with anti conversion laws & have demanded those to curb these incidents.
11:00 AM ∙ Jun 28, 2021
365Likes113Retweets

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. 

Twitter avatar for @amaanbali
Amaan @amaanbali
The rumour mills have circulated the picture of this woman as the victim in Rainawari case with caption that she is 30+ yrs old. This girl is imprisoned in a crime since 2020. 2nd pic is the victim Manmeet Kaur aged 18yrs. Pls don’t whitewash!
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12:57 PM ∙ Jun 28, 2021
115Likes38Retweets

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.

Twitter avatar for @SGPCAmritsar
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) @SGPCAmritsar
ਜੰਮੂ ਕਸ਼ਮੀਰ ਸਿੱਖ ਲੜਕੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਧਰਮ ਪਰਿਵਰਤਨ ਦਾ ਮਸਲਾ: ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਗੁ: ਪ੍ਰ: ਕਮੇਟੀ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਬੀਬੀ ਜਗੀਰ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ, “ਦੇਸ਼ ਅਜ਼ਾਦ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਇਹ ਜਬਰਦਸਤੀ ਧਰਮ ਪਰਿਵਰਤਨ ਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੰਦਾ। ਸ਼੍ਰੀਨਗਰ ਦੀ ਲੜਕੀ (18) ਨੂੰ ਗੁਮਰਾਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਜਬਰਦਸਤੀ ਧਰਮ ਪਰਿਵਰਤਨ ਦੀ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਦੀ ਹਾਂ।-
4:05 PM ∙ Jun 28, 2021
1Like1Retweet

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.

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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.


Baaz is home to opinions, ideas, and original reporting for the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora. Support us by subscribing. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @BaazNewsOrg.  If you would like to submit a written piece for consideration please email us at editor@baaznews.org.

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Amaan Bali: Kashmiri Leadership Reacts As Sikh Anti-Conversion Protests Continue
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