India, April 14 -- Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday voiced serious concern over rising incidents of religious conversion in Punjab and the Terai region.

He was speaking on the occasion of Baisakhi and Khalsa Panth Foundation Day at the Naka Hindola Gurudwara in Lucknow.

Calling for immediate steps to curb the practice of conversion and address its underlying causes, he emphasised the need to uphold the inclusive values of Sikhism and protect India's cultural and religious fabric.

Referring to the increasing trend of migration among Sikh youth from the Terai region, he urged them not to leave their homeland as he reminded the community of its historic role in transforming malaria-ridden land into fertile fields thr...