Why Guru Gobind Singh ji said in Zaffarnama that he is an idol breaker, but yet he protected hindus?

Zaffarnama: In verse no 95 of Zaffarnama (Letter to Aurangzeb), Guru is saying:

ਮਨਮ ਕੁਸ਼ਤਹਅਮ ਕੋਹਿਯਾਂ ਪੁਰਫਿਤਨ ॥ ਕਿ ਆਂ ਬੁਤ ਪਰਸਤੰਦੁ ਮਨ ਬੁਤਸ਼ਿਕਨ ॥੯੫॥

MANAM KUSHTEH AM KOHI-AAN BUT PRAST
KE O BUT PRASTAND-O MAN BUT SHIKAST (95)

I am also the annihilator of the Hill Rajas, the idol Worshipers. They are idol worshipers and I am the idol breaker.

But, We know Guru Gobind Singh protected Hindus from other idol breakers (Mughals). He sacrificed his father, himself and his entire family to save India.

Why Guru Gobind Singh ji said in Zaffarnama that he is an idol breaker, but yet he protected Hindus?

Guru Gobind Singh ji is Saying:

I am also the annihilator of the hill Rajas, the idol Worshipers. They are idol worshipers and I am the idol breaker.

By saying you are the idol worshiper and I am the idol breaker, clearly means philosophy of Guru is against idol worship, who so ever has joined in Sikhism has to follow this, whether one is Hindu or Muslim. History of Gurus and Sikhs tells us many Hindus and some Muslims had joined the Sikhism. Guruji had inspired every one for wrong rituals and practices, but didn’t use force to stop idol worship. If a Hindu converts the religion into Sikhism, definitely that would be breaking of idol.

Now the Mughal emperors were of the opinion to convert all religions in Islam, if not peacefully then by force, which was not acceptable to Sikhs, hence fighting with Muslims was protest against forcible conversion of religions into Islam and was not the advocacy of idol worship. Had we not stopped that, we all would have been converted forcibly to Islam. Therefore the task was to save our religions, here the formula of live and let live applies. Secondly as per Sikh philosophy we do not threat other and at the same time do not bear the threat from others. The sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur was on request by Kashmiri Pandits, to stop this forcible conversion by means of passion of religious extremism. When all this gone in vain, it was legitimate to take sword in hand for the purpose.

भै काहू कउ देत नहि नहि भै मानत आन ॥
Whosoever frightens none nor is afraid of anyone.

कहु नानक सुनि रे मना गिआनी ताहि बखानि ॥१६॥
Says Nanak, her thou, O my soul, call thou him, a men of Divine knowledge.
{{{Guru Tegh Bahaadur Ji, Salok Mehl 9 1427}}}

चु कार अज हमह दर गुशसत, हलाल असत बुरदन ब शमशीर दसत
When an affair outstrips all machinations; It is legitimate to grip the hilt of the sword.(22)
{{{Guru Gobind Singh Dasam Granth 1730}}}

सूरा सो पहिचानीऐ जु लरै दीन के हेत ॥
He alone is known as a spiritual hero, who fights in defense of religion.

पुरजा पुरजा कटि मरै कबहू न छाडै खेतु ॥२॥२॥
He may be cut apart, piece by piece, but he never leaves the field of battle. ||2||2||
{{{Bhagat Kabeer Ji, Raag Maaroo 1105}}}

Therefore kindly do not fall in any conspiracy. Nothing is contradicted by Guru ji, but the need is to deeply contemplate the scripture.

सतिगुर की बाणी सति सति करि जाणहु गुरसिखहु हरि करता आपि मुहहु कढाए ॥
O the disciples of the Guru know that the Satguru’s hymns are perfectly true. God the Creator Himself causes the Guru to utter them with his mouth.

गुरसिखा के मुह उजले करे हरि पिआरा गुर का जैकारु संसारि सभतु कराए ॥
The beloved God makes bright the faces of the disciples of the Guru and causes the whole world to pay homage to the Guru.{{{Guru Raam Daas Ji Raag Gauree 308}}}
Source(s):

GURU GRANTH SAHIB AND MEDITATION ON NAME OF SUPREME LORD GOD.