Latest news with #Nihang
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Dalit Sikh youth who faced public assault and forced haircut, gets protection from Nihang faction in Nabha
Dalit Sikh youth who faced assault and forced haircut gets protection from Nihang faction PATIALA: A Dalit Sikh youth, who faced assault and had his hair forcibly cut last month by fellow villagers in Malakpur village of Nabha, thus prompted police action after the incident's video went viral over social media, has now received protection from members of Nihang faction, Dashmesh Tarna Dal. Toofan Singh, a member of the Nihang Dal, claimed they did not support the immoral act of the 21-year-old Dalit youth, who allegedly messaged a minor girl, leading to the girl's family allegedly assaulting him. However, Toofan expressed concern over the accused committing a religious crime by shaving the youth's head. The incident, which took place on May 19, raised serious concerns over caste discrimination and vigilante justice. According to reports, the victim messaged the girl seeking friendship irking the girl's family. Despite repeatedly apologising, he was allegedly beaten by members of the girl's family and other villagers in front of the village panchayat. The youth, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) family, is currently performing sewa (service for misconduct) of horses at the dera of the Nihangs. "The victim stated that he took Amrit (Sikh religious initiation) two years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo We investigated the case related to the cutting of his hair after reading media reports. We gave him shelter at our premises. With his consent, we asked him to perform services of horses at our dera for his misconduct (messaging the girl). He apologised and realised his mistake. He will soon take 'Amrit' as per Sikh maryada," said Toofan Singh. The Dalit youth's father, Gurdeep Singh, said that members of the Nihang Dal came in their support. He mentioned that his son has been performing sewa with their consent. The police have so far arrested some accused in this case. The village sarpanch, who was present at the scene during the incident, was also arrested by the police, although he claimed to have tried to stop the mob from assaulting the youth but in vain. However, in a recent development, the court granted bail to the village sarpanch. The victim Dalit youth also stated in court that the sarpanch had no role in the attack.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Damdami Taksal pushes for panth-wide consensus for jathedar appointments to avoid controversies
Amritsar: After successfully pressuring the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to withhold officiating Akal Takhr jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from delivering a message during the Operation Bluestar anniversary ceremony over objections to his controversial appointment, Damdami Taksal (Chowk Mehta) has announced plans to push for a formal 'panth parvanat' procedure for selecting jathedars. Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, chief of Damdami Taksal, said the appointment of jathedars should involve consultation with all Sikh sects, Nihang organisations, Singh Sabhas, federations, and other Sikh bodies to prevent disputes. He added that he intends to engage with all Panthic organisations soon to discuss a unified selection process. "It is only when decisions are made without Panthic consensus that controversies arise," Baba Harnam Singh said, emphasising that collective approval from the Sikh Panth would eliminate future conflicts. He further stressed that retirement or removal of jathedars should also be conducted with due respect and dignity, calling for lasting solutions to the recurring issues surrounding these appointments. Baba Harnam Singh urged the SGPC to ensure broad-based agreement among Sikh organisations for all future appointments. Addressing the demand that the officiating jathedar should not deliver the customary address or honour the martyrs, he declined to claim this as a victory, saying such an attitude would reflect ego, which is unacceptable in the house of the Guru. Noting the significance of this year's ceremony, he said, "Since June 1984, this is the first time the Panth conducted the martyrdom ceremony with great peace, goodwill, and unity—without the brandishing of swords." He also praised SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami for his wisdom, patience, and foresight in preventing conflict during the event. "There should be no internal clashes within the Panth while commemorating the martyrs. Today, a message was sent across the world that the entire Sikh Panth peacefully and respectfully remembered the martyrs of June 1984 at Akal Takht," Baba Harnam Singh concluded. MSID:: 121674565 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: Posing as Nihangs, duo robs man of ₹80,000, arrested
Over two weeks after two men posing as Nihangs robbed an individual of ₹80,000 at knifepoint, police have arrested the duo. The accused have been identified as Dharminder Singh and Harvinder Singh, residents of Maujpur village in Mohali district. According to DSP City-2 Harsimran Singh Bal, the arrests were made following a prompt investigation into the robbery incident. The complainant had alleged that the assailants, who had robbed him of ₹80,000 at knifepoint on May 20, were dressed in traditional Nihang robes. However, DSP Bal clarified that the accused had no affiliation with the Nihang sect and were merely using the attire as a disguise to mislead witnesses and avoid identification. The police recovered the motorcycle used during the crime, along with ₹5,500 from Dharminder and ₹4,500 from Harvinder during the course of investigation. A case has been registered against the duo under Sections 309(4) (robbery) and 3(5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Phase 11 police station, Mohali. Both accused were presented before the court and sent to a one-day police remand for further interrogation. The investigation is ongoing to recover the remaining amount and determine if the duo is linked to other similar crimes in the region. Police appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order in the district.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Three Nihangs held for attacking MC team in Chandigarh's Sector 15
Three Nihangs were arrested for attacking staff of the municipal corporation's enforcement wing while they were removing illegal stalls from the parking area of Patel Market, Sector 15, on Wednesday afternoon. Amid the melee, a female MC officer was allegedly chased through the market with a sword by an armed Nihang while others from the group also assaulted members of the public, leaving at least four to five people injured. Police arrested Paramjit Singh, 36, Satrughan Singh, 27, and Satwinder Singh, 33, after lodging an FIR under Sections 121(1), 132, 115(2), 351 (2) and 3(5) of BNS at the Sector-11 police station. Sub-inspector (Enforcement) Manisha Gill, in a detailed written complaint submitted to the Sector-11 station house officer (SHO), narrated the sequence of incidents that unfolded over two consecutive days—June 3 and June 4. According to Gill, while performing her official duties as part of an anti-encroachment drive on June 3, she and her team found three individuals illegally placing stalls in the parking area of Patel Market. When asked to vacate the area, the Nihangs began to misbehave and issued life-threatening warnings to the officers. After police were alerted, the three individuals were taken to the local police station. Gill subsequently submitted a formal request that these vendors should not be allowed to set up stalls again without permission from MC's vendor cell. However, in complete defiance of official instructions, the same individuals returned the following day and attempted to reinstall their stall to sell a drink 'shardai' around 1.50 pm. When the enforcement team objected, the situation escalated again. The vendors hurled abuses and levelled false allegations against Gill, including the accusation that she was 'selling drugs' while on duty. To amplify their claims, they shot videos of the officer on their mobile phones with the intention to malign her public image, she alleged. Gill, who emphasised the emotional and reputational distress caused to her as a female officer, further alleged that the situation took a violent turn when the accused brandished weapons and began attacking bystanders and intervening shopkeepers. 'Four to five people from the general public sustained bleeding injuries as the assailants used weapons openly inside the market,' her complaint read. Of particular concern was an incident involving Ranju, a member of the anti-encroachment drive, who was chased with a sword by one of the accused through the market premises. The team faced not only verbal abuse and threats but also physical intimidation, hampering their ability to carry out government-mandated enforcement operations, Gill alleged. 'It is critical that such violent acts are dealt with firmly so that they are not repeated, and public servants can perform their duties without fear or obstruction,' she concluded in her complaint.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Will seek community's consensus on withdrawing Rajoana's mercy plea: SGPC
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday announced that it will seek the Sikh community's consensus before deciding on withdrawing the 2012 mercy petition filed on behalf of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in CM Beant Singh's assassination case. The statement comes a day after an SGPC delegation met Rajoana at Central Jail Patiala. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday said discussions with leaders from various Sikh organisations, Nihang bodies, Sikh seminaries and traditional sects regarding the matter were held where it was suggested that a public consensus is essential before taking any decision on the withdrawal of the petition. 'Therefore, a representative Sikh gathering from across the world will be convened soon,' Dhami said. Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role as a backup bomber in the suicide attack in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995, that killed former CM Beant Singh and 16 others. In 2012, Rajoana was scheduled for execution, but it was stayed after the SGPC filed a mercy plea on his behalf for commutation of the death sentence. Over the years, successive governments have cited national security concerns and the delicate political environment in Punjab as reasons for the delay in deciding the plea. Dhami further said during his recent meeting with Rajoana, the latter had requested the SGPC to withdraw the petition and had urged for a prompt decision. 'It is unfortunate that even after so much time, the government has maintained a negative attitude towards the mercy plea. The issue of the petition is no longer solely the SGPC's concern but that of the entire Sikh community. SGPC cannot move forward on this matter without consulting the Sikh Panth. Based on the suggestions received during today's meeting, a representative Sikh gathering will be called soon,' he said.
