Group of Nihangs storm gurdwara in Rudraprayag, hold Sikh devotee hostage on roof

Published 21 June 2026 · education

A group of Nihangs, armed with spears and swords, stormed a gurdwara in Rudraprayag and took a Sikh devotee hostage on the roof of the

A group of Nihangs, armed with spears and swords, stormed a gurdwara in Rudraprayag and took a Sikh devotee hostage on the roof of the building to demand the release of four members of the sect who were arrested following a clash in Chamoli on June 16, police said on Sunday (June 21, 2026). A heavy police force was deployed at the site following the standoff that began on Saturday (June 20, 2026) evening and is still on, even though the district administration on Sunday (June 21, 2026) said the situation is fully under control and peaceful. An officer said police are parleying with a Nihang member about ending the hostage situation. "The police, district administration, and the Gurudwara management committee are in constant dialogue with the Nihang Sikhs, attempting to understand their concerns and find a solution," Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar said. "The talks have yielded positive results; one of the Nihangs has come down from the roof to speak with the administration and police, and dialogue with the remaining individuals is ongoing," she said.

According to the statement issued by District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, the Nihangs have locked the third floor leading to the terrace where they have been holding an elderly Sikh man hostage. The gurdwara management said the Nihangs had asked for "50-60 rooms" to house protesters who would come for a demonstration against the arrest of four members of their sect over a clash in Karnaprayag, Chamoli. When the gurdwara failed to do it, the Nihangs resorted to violence, warning the authorities against any forceful action against them, they said. According to the police, the Nihangs engaged in vandalism and then took the Sikh man who was at the gurdwara to the rooftop and started raising slogans. They are armed with spears, swords, axes, and kirpans, they said. Mishra said, "An internal dispute took place inside the gurudwara. Police and administrative officials are present on site to maintain law and order. There is no disruption of any kind.

Everything is proceeding peacefully." He added that the Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage continues, and activities such as 'ardas', 'langar' are going on as usual at the gurdwara. Four Nihangs were arrested in connection with a clash that took place on June 16 over parking near a hotel in Karnaprayag market. The group were returning from Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara when it got into a verbal spat with locals at the market. The pilgrims allegedly attacked the other group with swords, injuring four locals. A Nihang was also injured in the clash. Consequently, four Nihangs, all from Mohali, Punjab, were arrested. Later, some Nihangs approached the managers of the Nagrasu gurdwara, appealing to them to support their protest, proposed to be held on Sunday, against the "one-sided action" in the Karnaprayag incident. According to the police, Sardar Sukhdev Singh and Sardar Beant Singh had built the Nagrasu gurdwara a few years ago, and the two are responsible for its day-to-day management.