Uttarakhand border clash: Who are the Nihang Sikhs, and why were they protesting?
High drama and tension prevailed at the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border on Thursday night after a large group of Nihang Sikhs clashed with the police, pushed
High drama and tension prevailed at the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border on Thursday night after a large group of Nihang Sikhs clashed with the police, pushed through security barricades at the Kulhal checkpoint in Vikasnagar area, Dehradun. According to PTI, visuals from the spot showed the entire Kulhal-Vikasnagar border resembling a virtual fortress, with a heavy deployment of police personnel in riot gear standing behind multi-layered metal barricades. A nearly two-hour meeting between the administration, police officials and representatives of the Nihang Sikhs at Paonta Sahib Gurdwara failed to resolve. Also Read | Four ‘Nihang’ men attack Shiv Sena leader with swords on busy Punjab road After hours of standoff between a group of Nihangs and the administration at the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, the group returned to Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh in the early hours of Friday following negotiations with authorities. Who are the Nihang Sinks? What was happening the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border on Thursday night? Here's all you need to know Who are the Nihang Sikhs? Nihangs, or Nihang Sikhs, are an elite and historically significant warrior group within the Sikh community, known for their martial traditions, distinctive attire (Khalsa Swaroop), and adherence to a specific code of conduct. They traditionally wear blue robes, reflecting the color associated with warriors and martyrdom in Sikh tradition, an organiation explained on its website. They typically carry an array of weapons, including the kirpan (small sword), barcha (spear), and tegha (broadsword). View full Image View full Image Dehradun, Jun 25 (ANI): Police and Nihang Singhs face off at the Himachal–Uttarakhand border as authorities halt the group's march towards Dehradun, in Dehradun on Thursday. (ANI Video Grab) (ANI Video Grab) Their turbans, or Dumala, are unique, often towering and adorned with various shastars (weapons), including small daggers, chakram (metal throwing discs), and swords.
They also adorn their turbans with Farla, a small flag at the top, which signifies their high status within the Sikh martial tradition Nihangs are historically entrusted with the defence of the Sikh faith, sovereignty, and martial ethos, according to a paper in STM journals. The paper adds that the Nihangs emerged prominently during the time of Guru Gobind Singh and became frontline defenders of Sikhism during periods of sustained conflict under Mughal, Afghan, and later British rule. The Nihang lifestyle is closely linked to the Khalsa code of conduct, as prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. What happened at Himachal-Uttarakhand border on Thursday? A large group of the Sikh sect clashed with the police on Thursday night in an attempt to go towards Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh pilgrimage, in Uttarakhand. Officials told ANI that around 200 Nihang Sikhs were travelling from Chandigarh towards Uttarakhand via Himachal Pradesh. According to officials, the Nihangs had planned a protest march in Uttarakhand related to a recent dispute at the Karnaprayag market in Chamoli and a gurdwara in Nagrasu. Following the announcement of the protest, police were deployed at the Himachal-Uttarakhand border in advance to prevent their entry. Nihangs were stopped by police and district administration at the Kulhal check post after barricades were erected there. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Pankaj Gairola had earlier claimed that a section of the protesters breached the barricades and moved forward, prompting efforts to keep the law and order situation under control. When intercepted at the border, a confrontation broke out. Dozens of Nihangs, dressed in traditional blue attire and carrying swords, rods, and sharp-edged weapons, used physical force to break the barriers, ANI reported. The protesters declared they would not return to Punjab until four Nihang members arrested in connection with a clash with locals in Karnaprayag market were released.
The BriefWire