Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha emphasized that forced religious conversions or inducement-based conversions are inappropriate. He stated that genuine faith and self-sacrifice should stem from personal conviction rather than coercion. Speaking at a Veer Bal Diwas event at a Gurdwara, the Chief Minister highlighted the significance of instilling values of courage, sacrifice, and morality among the youth.
Referring to historical and contemporary instances, the Chief Minister mentioned the persecution faced by minority communities like Hindus and Sikhs in various regions. He condemned the inhuman treatment inflicted on Kashmiri Pandits and the decline in the population of minority communities in West Pakistan and Bangladesh post-Partition. Saha underscored the need to create social resistance against such practices and raise awareness at national and international levels.
On the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, Saha urged for collective efforts to oppose forced conversions. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of the day’s observance in January 2022, which is now commemorated annually on December 26 nationwide. The primary objective of Veer Bal Diwas is to inspire the younger generation to embrace values of bravery, sacrifice, and moral strength, fostering a sense of national pride and faith in self-sacrifice.
Highlighting the importance of education, especially for children, the Chief Minister stressed that proper guidance can help inculcate essential qualities in young minds. The event, attended by Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar and other Sikh community members, aimed to promote the ideals of courage, sacrifice, and morality among the youth.
