After bloody tussle, nihang bodies and satkar committee call truce

TWO NIHANGS WERE INJURED ON JULY 9 BY COMMITTEE ACTIVISTS, DAY AFTER VIDEO OF ASSAULT ON COMMITTEE MEMBER WENT VIRAL

AMRITSAR: After indulging in a bloody tussle that left three people injured earlier this month, nihang organisations and Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee called a truce on Saturday after the intervention of senior leaders of both sides.

Nihangs are members of an armed Sikh warrior order while a satkar committee is a body of Sikh activists that tasks itself with ensuring respect to the holy book.

Two nihangs were injured on July 9 when nearly 15 activists of the satkar committee allegedly thrashed them in the surgical ward of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, a day after the video of assault on a committee member was shared on social media. The committee member, Ranjit Singh, was allegedly thrashed by nihangs owing allegiance to Dashmesh Tarna Dal at Chogawan village in the district.

Posting of derogatory comments triggered the violent attacks that further fuelled the tussle, especially on social media. Cross first information reports (FIRS) were also registered at Rajasansi and Majitha road police stations against members of both sides. A few days after the clash, a faction of satkar committee also posted a video challenging the nihangs to face them in Amritsar.

However, Baba Balbir Singh and Baba Gajjan Singh — chiefs of the two largest nihang organisations, Budha Dal and Tarna Dal respectively — and Balbir Singh Muchhal, Tarlochan Singh and Manjit Singh of the satkar committee met at a gurdwara near the Golden Temple on Saturday to bury the hatchet.

Former parallel jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Damdami Taksal leader Amrik Singh Ajnala was also present at the meeting.

Later, Baba Balbir Singh said: “Social media posts that led to the clashes were unfortunate. Chiefs of nihang bodies and satkar committees have vowed not to indulge in any such social media war in future. After all, we all are Sikhs and followers of the same gurus. So representatives of both sides have resolved to end the tussle.”

“If anyone has any complaint, it should first be brought to the notice of the organisation head concerned,” said the Budha Dal chief. “Now, we will perform prayers for unity at the Akal Takht. We also request police to cancel the cross-firs.”