Agartala, Dec —
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday asserted that the time has come to build a strong social movement against forced religious conversion and to raise awareness on the issue at both national and international levels. He made these remarks while speaking to the media at the Gurudwara in Chan Mari on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas.
Recalling the supreme sacrifices of the Sahibzadas—the third and fourth sons of Guru Gobind Singh—Dr Saha spoke in detail about the brutal atrocities inflicted upon them. He said the two Sahibzadas were only nine and six years old when they were subjected to inhuman torture for refusing to abandon their faith. “The then Mughal emperor Aurangzeb crossed all limits of cruelty. They were immured alive simply because they refused to accept Islam. Such was the brutality of the act that even many Muslims serving in the Mughal administration opposed it. History records that the wall in which they were entombed later collapsed,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr Saha described the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas as a powerful source of inspiration, particularly for children. “We often assess children based on their age, but proper education and values unlock their true potential. The Sahibzadas proved that courage, faith, and conviction are not bound by age,” he added.
Speaking on the issue of religious freedom, the Chief Minister emphasized that religion should remain a personal matter. “People of all faiths should be free to practise their religion and perform rituals without fear or pressure. However, we must remain vigilant against elements that resort to coercion and force in the name of religious propagation,” he said.
Dr Saha noted that the message of Veer Bal Diwas carries a deeper warning against forced conversions. Citing historical and contemporary examples, he referred to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits and the declining population of religious minorities in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh. “Society must remain alert against forced conversions, and our voices must be raised nationally and internationally against such unethical practices,” he said.
