Nihangs are followers of Sikhism and are not a religion unto themselves

Nihangs are followers of Sikhism and are not a religion unto themselves

Subject : History

Context:

• Punjab and Haryana High Court while dismissing a plea seeking cancellation of the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) certificate granted to Punjabi movie ‘Masand’, and challenging its release said that ‘Nihangs are followers of Sikhism and Gurmat but are not a religion unto themselves and the attire given to them is traditional but it is not a part of religion,”  

What was the issue:

• The petitioner Ranjit Singh Phoola, who is the head of Nihang Singh Jathebandi group namely Tarna Dal Missal Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh Poohla.
• The petitioner had challenged the release of ‘Masand’ on the ground that it could hurt sentiments of those following Sikh religion and promote community hatred.
• The petitioner drew a parallel between the villain’s character in the film as shown in the trailer and the life of Jathedar Ajit Singh Poohla head of Nihang sect, Tarna Dal, who was murdered by some radical elements.

Who are Nihangs:

• Nihang is an order of Sikh warriors, characterized by blue robes, antiquated arms such as swords and spears, and decorated turbans surmounted by steel quoits.
• Originally known as Akalis or Akali Nihangs, are designated the Guru’s knights or the Guru’s beloved.
• The word Nihang has been used in the Guru Granth Sahib as well as other Sikh texts, it is translated as “one being fearless and unrestrained”.

When was the order formed:

• Their origin is associated with the founding of the ‘Khalsa Panth’ by the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, around 1699.
• The armed sect is believed to have emerged from the Akaal Sena, a band of soldiers of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru.
• Later, the Akaal Sena metamorphosed into the ‘Khalsa Fauj’ of the 10th guru.

How were Nihangs different from other Sikhs and other Sikh warriors

• Nihangs observe the Khalsa code of conduct in its strictest sense.
• They do not profess any allegiance to an earthly master.
• Instead of saffron they hoist a blue Nishan Sahib flag atop their shrines.

What is the current status of Nihangs.

• They are today divided into several groups, each with its own “chhaoni” or cantonment but are loosely organised into two “dals” e  Buddha Dal and Taruna Dal, names initially given to the two sections into which the ‘Khalsa’ army was divided in 1733. 
• Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa, remains the main center of Nihang gatherings.
• They assemble there in the thousands in March every year to celebrate Hola Mohalla, a Sikh festival introduced by Guru Gobind Singh