Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said the time has come to build a strong social movement against forced religious conversion and asserted that such issues must be highlighted at both national and international levels.
Speaking to reporters at a gurdwara in Chan Mari here on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, Saha recalled the supreme sacrifices of the Sahibzadas, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, and said their martyrdom continues to inspire society, particularly children.
Referring to historical accounts, the Chief Minister said the third and fourth sons of Guru Gobind Singh were just nine and six years old when they were subjected to extreme brutality for refusing to abandon their faith.
He said the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had crossed all limits of inhumanity by ordering that the children be immured alive for declining to accept Islam.
Saha noted that the atrocity had drawn opposition even from several Muslims who were part of the Mughal administration at that time, highlighting that the act was widely condemned.
He added that history records the collapse of the wall behind which the Sahibzadas had been incarcerated following the incident.
Describing their courage as a lasting source of inspiration, the Chief Minister said the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas underline the importance of values and education in shaping character. “We often judge children by their age, but proper education unlocks their true potential,” he said.
On the issue of forced religious conversion, Saha said religion should remain a private matter and that everyone must be free to practise their faith without fear or coercion. However, he cautioned against elements that use pressure or force in the name of religious propagation.
The Chief Minister said Veer Bal Diwas carries a strong message against religious persecution.
Referring to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits and the declining population of religious minorities in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh, he called for greater social awareness and collective resistance against forced conversion.