Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday flagged the alleged surge in religious conversion cases in Punjab while addressing a gathering at the commemoration event marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.Expressing concern over religious conversions allegedly driven by greed or allurement, Shah appealed to the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government in Punjab to take steps to curb the practice.“It has been said that religious conversions are taking place in Punjab. Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed himself to protect others’ religions. But if conversions are happening due to any form of allurement, then it defies the teachings of our Guru. The Punjab government and society must initiate measures to stop religious conversions,” he said.Shah stated that Guru Tegh Bahadur endured immense hardships and suffering to safeguard the Hindu faith. He underscored that if the ninth Sikh Guru had not sacrificed his life to protect Hindus, there would have been no Hindus left in the world today.He added that not only members of the Sangh but all followers of Sanatan Dharma in India and across the world express their gratitude to the Guru. “It is because of this sacrifice that India gained the courage to face adversity, and the tradition was further carried forward by the tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh,” he said.Shah urged people to follow the three core Sikh principles — Naam Japo (meditate on God’s name), Kirat Karo (earn through honest work), and Vand Chhako (share with others). He also thanked the Maharashtra government for bringing together ‘Nanak Naam Leva’ Sangat communities — including Lobana, Vanjara, Sikligar, Valmiki, Sindhi, and Udasi — on one platform to participate in the programme.Recalling historical accounts, Shah spoke about the atrocities committed during the Mughal era and highlighted how Guru Gobind Singh’s brave Sahibzadas chose martyrdom over abandoning their faith. He also emphasised the significance of the five Sikh Takhts and the ten Sikh Gurus in strengthening society, combating social evils, and spreading awareness and knowledge to build an ideal society.