Statement from the Christian Community of Punjab On Recent Political Statements Regarding Religious Freedom

August 25, 2025

We are Indian citizens and Punjabis who practice the Christian faith. We work as teachers,

healthcare professionals, farmers, and serve communities across this state in various capacities.

Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu’s recent remarks about RSS plans to “bring back” Sikh converts to

Christianity demand a response. While respecting the Minister’s office, we cannot stay silent when

fundamental rights and decades of service are mischaracterized.

Articles 25 and 30 of India’s Constitution have protected every citizen’s freedom of conscience and

minority institutional rights for over seven decades. These provisions distinguish lawful expression

from unlawful coercion. Christian institutions follow established laws, activities are transparent, and

existing legal mechanisms can address any concerns about religious organizations.

Christian institutions have educated generations through schools and colleges. From Raj Kumari

Amrit Kaur, India’s first Health Minister, to the doctors trained at Christian Medical College

Ludhiana, our community has served this nation with distinction. Hospitals treat patients regardless

of background. Programs tackle drug addiction, provide rural healthcare, and meet educational

needs in villages and cities throughout the region.

Christian leaders like Sadhu Sundar Singh showed how one can be deeply Christian and deeply

Punjabi, while distinguished officers like General Sunith Francis Rodrigues and Julio Ribeiro served

Punjab with honour during challenging times. This record speaks for itself.

People are drawn to Christianity for different reasons: intellectual conviction, personal

transformation, or finding community and purpose. Like all faiths, Christianity includes both

rational understanding and spiritual experience. We believe God works powerfully in people’s lives,

including healing and renewal. Many in the Christian community are medical professionals who

integrate scientific knowledge with faith convictions. Others may interpret such experiences

differently, and we respect that.

The Indian Constitution protects these choices when made freely. We share beliefs with those who

show interest, but don’t force faith on anyone. Nor do we apologize for peaceful expression.

Freedom means freedom for everyone, to change beliefs, to maintain them, and to live without

pressure either way.

This state has flourished with multiple communities for centuries. Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and

Christian families live as neighbours and friends. We collaborate on education, healthcare, and social

welfare. We celebrate festivals together and support each other during hard times. This harmony

came from mutual respect, not from any community trying to dominate others.

We reject any attempt to turn Punjab’s diversity into a political battlefield. Strength has always come

from cooperation, not competition between faiths. When politicians try to make gurdwaras andchurches view each other as threats rather than partners in service, they weaken Punjab itself. We

will not let outside political strategies destroy what generations of Punjabis have built together.

We will keep serving through institutions while maintaining rights and respecting others’ equally. We

welcome dialogue with any leaders, political or otherwise, who have concerns about community

relations. Most disagreements resolve better through conversation than campaigns.

However, we won’t accept being labelled as foreign elements or threats to social order. We won’t

stay quiet when constitutional principles get undermined for political advantage.

Punjab faces real challenges that need cooperation, not manufactured conflicts. Drug addiction

destroys young lives, rural healthcare remains insufficient, educational opportunities lag behind other

regions, and unemployment drives emigration. We’re ready to work with anyone serious about

addressing these issues while practicing faith openly, as guaranteed by law.

This represents commitment to Punjab, to India, and to the values that strengthen our nation.

Issued by Punjab Christian Leaders

For information and endorsements:

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell

Phone: +91-9810348604

Email: drhowellrh@gmail.com

Bishop Darbara Singh,

Bishop of Chandigarh: Diocese of Chandigarh

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell

Chairman: Evangelical Church of God.

Rev(Dr.) K. Koshy,

Indian Pentecostal Church

Bishop Aroon Dass,

Evangelical Church of India

Bishop Brian Anderson,

Light of world Church: Chandigarh

Bishop Randeep Mathew

New Life City: National Church Mission Association

Rev. Mrs.Shoba Gupta

Rev. Mrs.Chander Prabha

Rev. Ms.Monika Garg

Rev. Rahul Gill:

Director: Diocese of Punjab

Evangelical Church of God