Explained | Who are the Nihangs?
The HinduThe Nihangs hit the headlines after a man was found murdered, allegedly for desecration of a Sikh holy book, at the Singhu border in Haryana’s Sonipat on October 15. In April 2020, a group of Nihangs allegedly attacked police officials and cut off the hand of one of the officers at a vegetable market in Punjab’s Patiala during the COVID-19 nationwide restrictions. Nihangs or Nihang Singhs, originally known as Akalis or Akali Nihangs, are designated the Guru’s knights or the Guru’s beloved, and their origin is associated with the founding of the ‘Khalsa Panth’ by the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. Prof. Singh said the Nihangs are today divided into several groups, each with its own “chhaoni” but are loosely organised into two “dals” — Buddha Dal and Taruna Dal, names initially given to the two sections into which the ‘Khalsa’ army was divided in 1733. “Apart from their distinguishable mode of dress, the Nihangs try to preserve the form and content of the Khalsa practice established by Guru Gobind Singh and strictly observed by the early Akalis of the eighteenth century,” Prof. Singh added.
History of this topic
Nihang Sikh Kills Punjab Youth Over Suspicion of Sacrilege in Phagwara, Uploads Video
News 18
NIA seizes assets of Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in Punjab
Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Two Nihangs clash with swords, one seriously injured
Hindustan Times
Who are the Nihang Sikhs? The ultra religious Indian group accused of lynching labourer
The Independent
Nihangs still camping at Singhu border, say they will repeat incidents like Lakhbir Singh murder and free their arrested leaders
Op India
Dressed In Blue, Armed With Swords, Descendants of Guru: Who Are The Nihang Sikh Warriors?
News 18
Member of Nihang Sikhs Surrenders Before Police In Singhu Lynching Case, Detained
News 18
Kundli border: Farmer protest site turns murder scene, Nihang Sikhs chop of man's hand, hang body
Op India
Who are the Nihangs? Explained in points
India TodayDiscover Related
)
