Hundreds of followers from two rival factions of the Namdhari religious sect clashed in Rania, Sirsa district, Haryana, leaving at least eight people injured. The clash occurred on August 11, and involved factions led by brothers Sadguru Uday Singh and Thakur Dalip Singh.
Historical Context
The recent violence revives memories of an earlier tragedy involving the Namdhari sect. Eight years ago, Chand Kaur, the 88-year-old matriarch of the Namdharis, was shot dead in Ludhiana.
Current Dispute
The conflict centers around an 11-acre piece of agricultural land in Rania. Haryana Police have registered FIRs against members of both factions concerning the land dispute.
Background of the Namdhari Sect
- Founding and Beliefs: The Namdhari sect was founded by Satguru Ram Singh on Baisakhi in 1857. Ram Singh advocated for social reform and resisted British colonial rule, leading to his deportation to Rangoon, where he never returned. The Namdharis believe Ram Singh is still alive and will return one day. They mourn his absence by wearing white.
- Practices and Beliefs: Namdhari Sikhs consider the Guru Granth Sahib as the Supreme Gurbani but also follow a living human Guru. They view the cow as sacred, abstain from alcohol, tea, and coffee. The sect’s headquarters is located in Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana.
- Succession: After Ram Singh’s disappearance, leadership passed to his brother Satguru Hari Singh and then to Hari Singh’s son, Satguru Partap Singh. Partap Singh was succeeded by his son Jagjit Singh, whose death in 2016 sparked a succession feud.
Feud and Violence
- Succession Dispute: Jagjit Singh had a daughter and two nephews, Uday Singh and Dalip Singh. Uday Singh, supported by Chand Kaur, succeeded Jagjit Singh and became Satguru. This decision led to ongoing rivalry between Uday Singh and Dalip Singh.
- Current Claims: Uday Singh controls over 6,000 acres, including Bhaini Sahib. The Dalip Singh faction has reported that a major portion of their land has been encroached upon, leaving them with only 55 acres.
- Violent Incident: On April 4, 2016, Chand Kaur was assassinated at Bhaini Sahib, with both factions blaming each other. The current dispute over the 11 acres of land involves claims from both sides and has led to violence.
Legal Proceedings
- Court Verdict: In 2019, a quasi-judicial court ruled on the land dispute, but no further action has been taken. The Dalip Singh faction has accused the Uday Singh faction of attempting to seize the land on August 11.
- Police Investigation: The Dalip Singh faction claims that 250-300 followers of Uday Singh attacked their gurdwara to claim the land. The Uday Singh faction contends that they were attacked while applying urea to their paddy crop. Injuries were reported on both sides, with two victims in serious condition.
Police Response
Inspector Dinesh Kumar from the Rania police station stated that an investigation is ongoing.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the main cause of the clash in Rania, Haryana?
- A) Dispute over a temple’s management
- B) Rivalry over agricultural land
- C) Religious differences
- D) Personal grievances
- When did the violence between the Namdhari factions occur?
- A) August 11
- B) April 4
- C) August 5
- D) July 15
- Who were the leaders of the rival factions involved in the clash?
- A) Sadguru Uday Singh and Thakur Dalip Singh
- B) Jagjit Singh and Chand Kaur
- C) Satguru Ram Singh and Hari Singh
- D) Maharaja Bir Singh and Satguru Partap Singh
- What action did the Dalip Singh faction claim was taken by Uday Singh’s followers?
- A) They tried to seize the land by force
- B) They attempted to negotiate a settlement
- C) They sought legal arbitration
- D) They issued a public statement
- What was the response of the Uday Singh faction regarding the land dispute?
- A) They claimed the land was theirs and were attacked by the rival group
- B) They sought to sell the land
- C) They agreed to share the land
- D) They avoided confrontation and sought mediation