Residents of Gurugram for the fourth consecutive week continued their peaceful protest against namaz being offered at a public ground opposite the State Vigilance Bureau office in Sector 47.
On Friday (October 15) afternoon around 100 people carrying placards, singing bhajan and raising slogans came to the ground. They were carrying a portable speaker and a mic. They were also shouting slogans against Manohar Lal Khattar government for failing to stop namaz in public places. Their placards read ‘Namaz ki jagah khaali karo’ and they kept chanting and singing ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and bhajans.
There was heavy police deployment and they were stopped 100 meters away from where namaz was being offered. As local police had stopped the protest from Hindu community, the police officials also asked members of the Muslim community to renter the ground from the Subhash Chowk side.
ACP Aman Yadav confirmed the demonstration stating “efforts are ongoing for a solution, including finding an alternate place for namaz.” He further stated that prayers were offered peacefully and informed that in the last week the administration had held meetings with representatives of both communities to resolve the issue.
Haryana | Locals staged a protest against offering Friday Namaz at a ground in Sector-47, Gurugram for the fourth consecutive week by performing puja. Efforts are ongoing for a solution, including finding an alternate place for Namaz: ACP Aman Yadav (15.10) pic.twitter.com/QsrIRiPO0V
Sunil Yadav, president of the residents’ welfare association of Sector 47 who is at the forefront of stopping namaz in public places has repeatedly told the media that it created lots of disturbances including traffic jams. The protesting residents said that Muslims should offer Friday prayers at the mosques or on Waqf Board land, and not in public places.
However, it is also stated that this ground of Sector 47 is among 37 designated sites where prayers could be offered in the open. This was decided after a dispute took place in 2018. But local residents alleged that the facts are being fabricated as the permission was granted only for a day.
Residents question whether the state government and local administration will allow Hindus to occupy public places for prayers and bhajan. Local residents alleged that most of the Muslims joining prayer here come from far-away places like sectors 7 and 8. They have options and spaces in their own area to offer namaz but they only come here with the intention to create trouble and encroach land.
Resentment of local residents is not unfounded since the problem is not limited to Sector 47. In May 2018, BJP’s Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had stated that namaz should be read in mosques rather than in public places. The remark was in the context of public places being occupied for namaz that cause inconvenience. Within Gurugram district in 2018 namaz was offered at public places at as many as 76 locations and arrangements were made for the same by the local administration.
A team of three doctors performed a post-mortem on the body of labourer Lakhbir Singh, who was brutally murdered on the Kundli border on Friday morning. The autopsy was recorded on video. The report is a testimony of the barbarity inflicted on the helpless labourer by the frenzied Nihang Sikhs before he succumbed to his injuries.
According to a report by Hindi daily Amar Ujala, the medical staff confirmed that 22 wounds were found on the deceased’s body of which ten were very large and deep.
10 out of 22 wounds excessively deep, marks of being tied with a rope and dragged found on Lakhbir Singh’s body
The police waited until the afternoon for the relatives, but when they did not arrive, a post-mortem was performed. The autopsy report revealed that Lakhbir Singh passed away anytime between 4:30 AM to 5:30 AM on Friday morning. He died due to deep wounds and excessive bleeding, read the report. Marks of being tied with a rope and dragged along the ground were also found on his body.
Lakhbir Singh’s arm was completely severed while his leg was partially severed revealed the post mortem.
Kundli border cordoned off after the brutal murder of Lakhbir Singh
Meanwhile, owing to the sensitivity of the case, the Haryana police have converted the entire Kundli border area into a police cantonment. The area has been cordoned off by the police, who have set up checkpoints at several locations. Strict vigil is being kept on people entering and leaving the area. The Nihang Sikhs are not allowed to leave the area.
Moreover, the police have issued an alert in Haryana and NCR, including Sonipat. A checkpoint has been created under the KMP flyover. Every visitor is being monitored. Vehicles are being prevented from heading towards Kundli.
The farmers’ pandals and tents which have been erected in Sonepat from the KMP flyover to the Kundli border area are being thoroughly scrutinised.
Also, the cops have cleaned up the crime scene. The blood strewn was washed away by the police and the protesting leaders. This was done to prevent further spread of tension and panic.
Individuals have been advised by the police to follow the law and not be mislead by anyone. They are also being urged not to share videos of the Kundli incident on social media.
Haryana police makes one arrest in the case
Haryana police had arrested Nihang Sarabjit after he surrendered claiming responsibility for killing Lakhbir Singh.
A video shared by news agency ANI showed the police taking away the accused in a police van amidst “Bole so Nihal” slogans.
Before surrendering to the police, Nihang Sarabjit had appeared before the media and taken full responsibility for the barbaric act. He said that when he had found someone desecrating a Sikh sacred book he did what he deemed fit. When the reporters asked him whether he had any remorse over his action, Sarabjit had answered in the negative.
Sarabjit had also told the media that he was not prompted by anyone to do what he did and that it was his own decision.
A horrible murder was reported from the Singhu-Kundli border protest location on Friday, October 15, where farmers have been camping for months in protest of the three agricultural laws. Lakhbir Singh’s brutally mutilated body, with his hands and legs severed, was reportedly found suspended from a police barricade by Nihang Sikhs for allegedly committing blasphemy.
On Friday (October 15), a frenzied mob of radical Islamists attacked the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in the Noakhali district in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh. The dastardly attack comes days after radical Islamists vandalised Durga Puja pandals under the pretext of blasphemy.
In a tweet, the official handle of ISKCON wrote, “ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical. We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice.”
ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical.
We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice. pic.twitter.com/ZpHtB48lZi
The Bangladesh unit of ISKCON lamented that the sculpture of its founder, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, was burnt down during the arson attack on the temple.
A Twitter account (@HinduVoice_in) had shared disturbing visuals of arson by radical Islamists. In the video clip, flames and smoke were seen rising from the burnt ISKCON temple.
ISKCON spokesperson Radharamn Das shared a video wherein radical Islamists were seen desecrating the ISKCON temple. “Just few hours back today, around 500 Muslim mob gathered outside ISKCON temple in Noakhali and they broke deities inside ISKCON temple and set temple on fire,” he informed. Furthermore, he stated that a makeshift Durga pandal, located in front of the temple, was also vandalised. “Our devotees fought; many are critical,” he added.
Just few hours back today, around 500 Muslim mob gathered outside @iskcon Temple in Naokhali and they broke Deities inside ISKCON temple and set temple on fire. They also destroyed Durga Devi in front of ISKCON Temple. Our devotees fought: many r critical pic.twitter.com/R8Rfs8H6kX
Radharamn Das had shared visuals of a Hindu monk, who was critically injured after sustaining a dagger attack to his head. He remarked, “Please pray for these two devotees who lost their life today at our ISKCON temple in Bangladesh: (1) Nitai Das Prabhu and (2) Jatan Saha Prabhu. They fought bravely with Muslims while trying to protect the Deities but were outnumbered. Another Hindu was killed in Police firing.”
Just see how they have attacked our ISKCON monks. This devotee was attacked with dagger on his head. He fought bravely before attacked from behind. These devotees don’t fear for their life but worried about women & children’s of neighborhood. Will world wake up tonight? @PMOIndiapic.twitter.com/s2He9nKJct
He also added, “Today morning the dead body of another ISKCON devotee Partha Das was found floating in the pond near the temple. He was missing since yesterday. He was brutally tortured, body parts removed. He was just 25 year’s old.”
In a video that has now surfaced on social media, a Hindu monk at ISKCON narrated, “Hare Krishna! Today, Jamaat attacked the ISKCON temple and other temples in Choumani in Noakhali. They have executed it as part of a vicious plan. ISKCON Mandir has been desecrated. They have killed one devotee outright and stabbed another, leading to his critical state. Several motorcycles were set on fire. There was a mob of 400-500 people. They have looted 1 lakh taka from our temple The Noakhali administration has yet not taken any action against the miscreants.”
150 Hindu families attacked over ‘Quran insult’ rumours, vandalism of Durga Pandals
Brutal attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson had returned to haunt Hindus in Bangladesh’s Noakhali district, as close to 150 households were reportedly attacked and at least three killed in a violent clash on Wednesday (October 13).
The incident took place after a Facebook rumour claiming ‘insult to Quran’ at a Durga Puja pandal went viral. Videos emerged on social media where a mob of enraged Muslims were seen pelting stones and vandalising makeshift Durga Puja pandals and attacking Hindu families in Bangladesh’s Chandpur area. A social media user from Bangladesh stated that the Islamic mob was calling for the burning of a local ISKCON temple. Bangladeshi handles had stated that under the guise of attacks, rampant loot and molestation of women have also taken place. 2 persons have been found dead in the Chandpur area.
Following the incident, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the criminals, behind spreading communal attacks and propaganda, to be identified and punished as an example. Meanwhile, back in New Delhi, the external affairs ministry said that it was in touch with the high commission officials and noted the strict action be taken by the Bangladesh government. Since the incident, the Bangladesh police have made over 100 arrests and the probe is still underway.
The Congress’ Punjab unit’s longstanding deadlock may have come to an end, as Navjot Singh Sidhu has decided to retract his resignation and remain as the party’s Punjab unit chief. The decision was taken after Sidhu’s met the Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence in Delhi on Friday.
After the meeting, Navjot Singh Sidhu told the media: “I shared all my concerns with Rahul Gandhi, was assured that they would be sorted out.”
Harish Rawat, the All India Congress Committee’s in-charge for Punjab, who was present during the meeting between Sidhu and Rahul Gandhi, told reporters that Sidhu would continue as the state unit chief and all issues had been resolved.
A day before meeting Rahul Gandhi at his residence, Sidhu had said he has full faith in the party leadership and will accept any decision taken by them on his resignation.
He said that he had voiced his concerns regarding the state and the Congress state unit before Congress’ top brass and he had full faith in the Congress President, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi. “I have always considered them to be supreme and will accept any decision taken by them”.
Congress top brass refuses to accept resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu
On September 28, Sidhu had resigned from the post of PPCC chief. In a letter addressed to party chief Sonia Gandhi, he had stated that he is stepping down as the state president.
“The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress”, wrote Sidhu.
Many Sidhu loyalists have also resigned in solidarity with the Punjab Congress President after his surprise resignation.
The party’s top brass had, however, refused to accept his resignation and had asked state leaders to resolve the matter at their own level first.
Only in the month of July did the Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi overthrow Sunil Jakhar to make Navjot Singh Sidhu the new Punjab Congress Chief. The decision had then garnered a wide range of responses with some snubbing Captain Amarinder Singh while others attacking Sidhu for his vendetta politics.
Nihang Sarabjit Singh, the arrested accused in the brutal murder of Dalit labourer Lakhbir Singh at the Kundli border had appeared before the media before he surrendered claiming responsibility for the brutal attack. In a video shared by a media platform, The New Indian, the accused is heard claiming full responsibility for the barbaric act.
FLASH: Nihang Sikh, Sarabjit Singh, ahead of surrender before Haryana Police @SonipatP appears before media to ‘confess’ his role in barbaric killing of a man, who was tied to barricades over alleged desecration, near Samyukt Kisan Morcha farmer protest site.
Nihang Sarabjit Singh, who is the second person appearing in the video, said that when he had found someone desecrating a Sikh sacred book he did what he deemed fit. When the reporters asked him whether he had any remorse over his action, Sarabjit is heard answering in the negative.
Though the audio is not very clear, Sarabjit is heard telling the media that he was not prompted by anyone to do what he did and that it was his own decision.
Meanwhile, Jathedar Raja Raj Singh, the Nihang Tarna Dal’s chief, who is the first person to speak to the media in the 1.47-second video, issued a threat to those who seek to discredit their efforts. He is heard suggesting that in the future, they will impose tougher punishments on individuals who oppose them.
Haryana police arrests Nihang Sarabjit Singh
Notably, Nihang Sarabjit was arrested by the Haryana Police after he surrendered claiming responsibility for killing Lakhbir Singh.
A video shared by news agency ANI showed the police taking away the accused in a police van amidst “Bole so Nihal” slogans.
On Friday, October 15, a gruesome murder was reported from the Singhu-Kundli border protest site where farmers have been camping for more months now against the three farm laws. A badly mutilated corpse of a man, whose hands were chopped and legs cut, was suspended over a police barricade, reportedly by Nihang Sikhs for allegedly committing blasphemy. The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Lakhbir Singh.
Durga Puja, celebrated in West Bengal, mainly in the capital city Kolkata, is one of the largest and most opulent cultural events in the country. Every year the festival is celebrated with a lot of fun and fervour. People come from across the state, and sometimes even the country and the world, to experience the creative outburst. Every year, the pandal organisers pool all of their resources to come up with an out of the box idea to glam up the pandal. Many traditional themes, as well as current socio-economic and then ongoing political issues, have been depicted in Kolkata’s Durga Puja pandals for years now.
Though this year, there is a cap on gatherings, and social-distancing norms will continue to be followed as the pandemic rages on, it has not stopped the organisers from unleashing their creativity. This time too, the artisans have put together some exemplary work that would leave the visitors awestruck.
Here’s a look at some of the year’s most intriguing themes:
Sreebhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja
Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata has constructed a pandal that is a replica of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Based on the motif of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the club has created an iconic 145-foot pandal in Lake-town.
Speaking to ANI, Sujit Bose, Sreebhumi Sporting Club president said: “Every year, we built the pandal in form of a replica of iconic buildings. Earlier, we had built it on the theme of Paris Opera, Kedarnath and Puri temples among others.”
West Bengal: Durga puja pandal in Kolkata’s Lake Town replicates Dubai’s Burj Khalifa tower
“Every year, we built the pandal in form of replica of iconic buildings. Earlier, we built it on the theme of Paris Opera, Kedarnath & Puri temples among others,” says minister Sujit Bose pic.twitter.com/PclwL1EhJr
He went on to say that the 145-foot-tall Burj Khalifa pandal has specific lighting systems to give it a majestic look at night and that it was created in two months by roughly 250 employees.
The Sreebhumi Pandal is a replication of Burj Khalifa
Reports suggest that the laser light show at Sreebhumi Sporting Club pandal was stopped on October 12 after the pandal started drawing huge crowds.
While there were claims that the laser lights were turned off in response to concerns from pilots flying out of Kolkata International Airport, airport sources told NDTV they were unaware of any official complaint.
Sreebhumi Sporting Club, organisers of the Puja, however, denied that there had been complaints. They said the laser light was switched off to prevent overcrowding. Currently, only still lights are on at the pandal.
Singhi Park Durga Puja
Singhi Park Durga Puja, which is in its 80th year, is one of the popular Durga Puja in Kolkata. The illustrious history of Singhi Park Durga Puja dates back to 1941. The Singhi Park Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee which has been organising the Puja here in Singhi Park have come up with interesting themes and beautifully sculpted Durga idol year after year.
Singhi Park Durga Puja, image via Twitter user @SreyashiDey
Durga Puja in Ekdalia, Ballygunge
The Durga Puja in Ekdalia, Ballygunge, Kolkata is organised by the Ekdalia Evergreen club, which is celebrating its 79th Durga puja this year. The president is Subrata Mukherjee. Ekdalia is known for their tall Durga idols and mesmerising decor and lighting. This year, what appears from the pictures is that the organisers have built a temple-like structure with intricate carving and statues of numerous dieties adorning the facade.
The Ekdalia pandal, image via Twitter user @SreyashiDey
Hatibagan SarbojaninDurga Puja
The Hatibagan Sarbojanin Club based its pandal around the concept of ‘Pichutan,’ which signifies a craving or a longing for something you can no longer have. Simply described, it is a recreation of 1970s Kolkata. This year’s puja will be held in the manner in which it was performed several decades ago in old Kolkata.
This pandal was inspired by a little-known Rajasthani craft tradition. Kaavad is a type of transportable temple/altar built by the craftsmen of Bassi village in Chittor. Dwarkaprasad Jhangid, a renowned Kaavad artist, has been directing a team of craftsmen from Bassi village in the creation of several kaavads and the merging of them into one enormous pandal here in Hatibagan.
Image credit: The Indian Express
Beliaghata 33 Pally Durga Puja
The artisans have tried to put together another innovative theme at North Kolkata’s Beliaghata 33 Pally Durga Puja Pandal. The organisers decided to construct the entire pandal out of iron and steel. The organisers tried to recreate the last few decades by putting up a newspaper printing press and an old-fashioned television.
Image via YouTube
Image via YouTube
This is the same pandal that ran into controversy for playing Azaan (the Muslim call to prayer) during the 2019 Durga Puja. Following this, a local lawyer filed a complaint and named ten people, including the club secretary of the puja pandal and local TMC leader Paresh Paul. He is the primary organiser of this community Puja, who is also the local MLA.
Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja
The Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja is one of the popular Durga Pujas of North Kolkata. This puja started in the year 1969. This year, the famous Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja in central Kolkata has chosen as its theme the importance of vaccines to the efforts to end the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If 2020 was about the Covid-19 infection, 2021 is all about vaccination, the only weapon against the disease. So, this year, we are attempting to propagate the importance of vaccination from our Puja premises. The theme will revolve around the prevention of a pandemic and will specifically explore the significance of vaccination. Visitors will not be allowed inside the park but will have to get a glimpse of the Puja from the road. The goddess can be seen very well from a distance of 15 feet,” said the Puja committee’s general secretary Surendra Kumar Sharma.
The Md Ali Park Durga Puja committee focused its celebrations last year on the fight against coronavirus. Idols of Covid warriors such as doctors, health workers, and cops enacting situations were displayed at the goddess’s feet. Two health workers clad in PPE are seen attending a Covid patient. In another scene, frontline, Covid warriors like policemen are seen persuading people on the road to wear masks.
“We have covered the body of demon Mahisasura with the spiked Covid-19 virus as shown in pictures. He is the coronasura vanquished by the goddess,” the joint secretary of the puja committee Ashok Ojha had said.
FD Block, Salt Lake
This year’s Durga Puja pandal at FD Block in Salt Lake was created in the style of an old English castle. With a sparkling and colourful ‘chalchitra,’ the idol inside the pandal has been preserved fully traditional.
Image credit: India Today
Image credit: India Today
Kakurgachi Yuvak Brinda
The Kankurgachi Yubak Brinda Sharod Utsav committee decided to bring the historic Bengali theatre known as Jatra back to life this year. The pandal has been embellished with snippets of some of the greatest Jatras of the era. As for the idols, Karthik and Ganesha have been donned with props used in Jatras.
Image source: India Today
Image source: India Today
Image source: India Today
Shadhinota Dibosh Udjapan Samiti, Kakurgachi
This year’s Puja committee theme is based on traditional or indigenous art from different parts of the state. The pandal is wrapped in red embellishments, with Trishuls adorning the borders. Devi Durga sits in a traditional ekchala form in the pandal’s centre, surrounded by paintings by popular artist Jamini Roy.
Image source: India Today
Image source: India Today
Image source: India Today
Maniktala Chaltabagan Sarbojanin Puja
This year’s Chaltabagan theme is to depict the deity in a tribal setting. Everything has a tribal feel to it, from the pandal design to the idol. Devi Durga and her children are adorned in traditional tribal clothes and accessories.
The Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee members have given the pandal the shape of a treehouse, made entirely out of bamboo. The pandal is encircled by a green canopy, the top of which is designed like a bird’s nest. The idol, like the rest of the pandal, is adorned with bamboo and taalpata and made in the colour of clay.
“This year we are going to worship Ma Durga as personifying ‘beauty of nature’. Only natural materials and ingredients have been used to prepare the throne of ‘Bodhon’,” said a committee spokesperson.
Image source: Twitter
Image source: India Today
Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab
The pandal at Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab has re-created Mehboob Studio, the famous film studio in Bandra, Mumbai in 1954, complete with legendary movie posters like those from Deewar and Sholay, using artists who had lost their jobs due to the advent of digital art.
Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojonin Durgotsab, which has been organising Durga Puja for the last 79 year, are one of UltraTech seven wonders of Durga Puja 2021. This year, the committee is into the 80th year of celebrations.
Dumdum Park Tarun Sangha
Dumdum Park Tarun Sangha has dedicated its pandal to local grocery stores that have provided assistance to residents during multiple lockdowns when chain stores and shopping malls have been closed. The Puja has used jars from local shops for decorating in addition to recreating a “mudir dokan” (grocery shop). Annapurna is how Goddess Durga has been depicted.
Dumdum Park Yubak Brinda
Dumdum Park Yubak Brinda, which has been organising Durga Puja for the last 55 years, has picked Samudra Manthan as its theme for this year. The Samudra Manthana explains the origin of Amrita.
The puja symbolises how individuals during the pandemic have suffered hardships and attempted to achieve their own kind of Amrita: regular living. The gods and devils are shown in the pandal using pictures with a unique south-Indian influence.
While it would be interesting to watch these innovative themed pandals, one should definitely not miss out on the idol of Mamata Banerjee depicting Goddess Durga being created by a group of three committees in West Bengal.
On September 2, three committees had collaborated to sculpt a statue resembling West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, with ten arms akin to that of Goddess Durga. The committees had decided that the statue will be placed along with the idol of the Goddess at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata.
This year, the festival commenced on October 11. The 10-day long festival begins with Mahalaya and is held in the month of Ashwin also known as Aswayuja, the seventh month of the Hindu calendar. Starting from the sixth day until the ninth day, the Pandals with grand idols of Goddess Durga are open for visitors. The tenth day, also known as Dashami marks the Visarjan (immersion in water) of the idol which too is done with a lot of fervour.
A day after radical Islamist mobs attacked Durga Puja pandals in Comilla, the chief of the police’s Chittagong Range informed that 43 accused were arrested on Thursday (October 14).
Dhaka Tribunereported that the police had detained one Fayez Uddin, the accused who posted the video of a Quran inside a Comilla temple. The cops had been questioning him and cross verifying the facts. While speaking about the matter, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anwar Hossain remarked, “Investigators are going through security camera footages to identify those behind the matters and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”To prevent any law and order situation, additional security measures were taken. According to Deputy Commissioner (Comilla) Kamrul Hasan, the investigation team had been asked to submit their findings within 3 working days.
Citing sources, Hindustan Times reported that the Jamaat-e-Islami had been fanning communal sentiments in Bangladesh ever since the Taliban took over Kabul. With the objective of ‘Bangladesh Banega Afghanistan‘, JEI has been mobilising the radical Islamists in the country against the minorities and the Sheikh Hasina government. A diplomat in Dhaka said, “The basic idea behind October 13 incident was to embarrass Bangladesh’s government credentials and force a reaction from India.”
PM Sheikh Hasina assures Bangladeshi Hindus of justice
“Bangladesh is the land where different religions co-exist and everyone is allowed to follow their religion. Religion may be different but the festivals belong to all Faith. It has been our tradition where people participate in unison to celebrate different festivals. Sometimes, a group of miscreants orchestrate communal incidents and destroy the spirit of people. This is an unfortunate incident,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in a statement.
She assured, “A probe has been initiated into the matter and we will nab those who are behind the attack. We will take action against the perpetrators, irrespective of their religion. We have done it before and we will do it again.”
MEA issues statement on the Durga Puja violence
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took cognisance of the matter and issued a firm statement in this regard. Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated, “(We have taken notice of) disturbing, untoward incidents involving attacks on religious gatherings in Bangladesh. We note that the Government of Bangladesh has reacted promptly to ensure control of the situation including the deployment of the law enforcement machinery.”
MEA on minorities being attacked in Bangladesh during Durga Puja: Have noted action by Bangladesh govt & it’s support to Puja. pic.twitter.com/sR3cIhznnA
“We also understand that the ongoing festive celebration of Durga Puja continues in Bangladesh with the support of the Government of Bangladesh agencies. High Commission in Dhaka and our Consulates in Bangladesh are in close contact with the authorities in Dhaka and (at) local level,” Bagchi concluded.
A Facebook post allegedly showing Hindus insulting the Quran went viral on social media on Wednesday (October 13) night after which the religious fanatics took to the streets to vandalize several Durga pandals. Denying the claims of insulting the Quran, Shibu Prasad Dutta, the general secretary of Cumilla Mahanagar Puja Udjapon Committee, informed that someone placed a copy of the Quran at a Durga Puja pavilion in Nanua Dighir Par early in the morning when the guard was asleep.
“The miscreants took some pictures of this and ran away. Within a few hours, using Facebook, the propaganda spread like wildfire with the provocative pictures,” confirmed a district official. He hinted at the role of some Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islam workers. Temples in Chandpur’s Hajiganj, Chattogram’s Banshkhali, Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj and Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua were brutally attacked with the Hindu devotees being thrashed. As many as three Hindus were killed in the violent clash.
In the midst of Durga Puja celebrations, the members of the Rapid Action Battalion have recovered 18 bombs next to a temple The entire incident took place at the main gate of Rupsa Maha Shashan, a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali in Rupsha upazila area in Kulna, Bangladesh on Thursday, October 14.
According to reports, the Rapid Action Battalion found the crude bombs while they were conducting continuous search operations following multiple attacks that took place on Durga Puja pandals across the country on Wednesday.
The Rapid Action Battalion 6 (RAB) Director Lt Col Mostak Ahmed informed that the live bombs were found at around 5:30 PM and safely recovered by a bomb disposal squad at around 7 PM. The unit later neutralised the bombs in a safe, secluded and protected environment at the bank of Rupsha river, said Ahmed.
Lt Col Ahmed said a RAB 6 team was sent to check the entry point of the Shashan crematorium after their intelligence team was tipped off about the bombs.
During a search, the team found 16 of the bombs in a shopping bag and the other two on the ground. The bombs were wrapped in black tape.
Meanwhile, following yesterday’s incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples by religious fanatics and the subsequent discovery of these crude bombs, Border Guard Bangladesh and RAB personnel have been deployed in 22 districts, including Chandpur, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Sylhet, Chittagong and Gazipur, where the situation remains grim.
Islamists vandalise Durga Puja Pandals in Bangladesh
Yesterday OpIindia reported in detail how the vibrant festival of Durga Puja ended in violence and vandalism for the Hindu minority community of Bangladesh as Islamic extremists exhibited barbaric behaviour over a Facebook rumour.
A Facebook post allegedly showing Hindus insulting the Quran went viral on social media on Wednesday night after which the religious fanatics took to the streets to vandalize several Durga pandals.
Reports suggested that as close to 150 households had been reportedly attacked and at least three killed in a violent clash on Wednesday (October 13).
Following the incident, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the criminals behind spreading communal attacks and propaganda to be identified and punished as an example.
Meanwhile, back in New Delhi, the external affairs ministry said that it was in touch with the high commission officials and noted the strict action be taken by the Bangladesh government.
Since the incident, the Bangladesh police have made over 100 arrests and the probe is still underway.
The brutal execution of a Dalit Sikh labourer by Nihang Sikhs at the Kundli border farmers’ protest site just outside of New Delhi on Friday morning has sent shivers down one’s spine. He was found hanging with his limbs chopped off and tied near his body. A group of Nihang Sikhs were seen admitting to the murder on claims of disrespecting the Guru Granth Sahib.
Following the incident, a video went viral on social media in which the Nihang Sikhs were not only heard justifying the murder of the man in cold blood but also gloating about the sheer barbarity inflicted by them on Lakhbir Singh.
A video of the victim pleading to the Nihang Sikhs for mercy had also gone viral. In the audio, while Lakhbir Singh keeps begging them to bring him down, the assaulters were in no mood to spare the victim.
Notably, OpIndia has got access to the FIR filed in the case, which also mentioned Nihang Sikhs as the perpetrators.
While it may be difficult to forget the scars of this heinous act, this is only one of several recent incidents in which Nihang Sikhs have ruthlessly mutilated and killed people in recent times.
In April last year, a group of five Nihangs, armed with swords and iron rods, had attacked two policemen and chopped off the hands of ASI Harjeet Singh.
Two weeks after the aforementioned incident, a Nihang Sikh identified as Tej Singh allegedly attacked two locals in Mandayali village in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh over a small argument. While one victim’s four fingers were chopped off, the other received severe injuries on the head.
Who are Nihang Sikhs?
According to some sources, the Nihang warrior’s origin attires to the youngest son of Guru Gobind Singh, Fateh Singh.
According to the legend, little Fateh Singh wanted to play with his brothers one day while his bigger brothers were practising warfare tactics. But, they refused, saying: “At the moment you are too small.”
Left demotivated by his older brothers, young Fateh Singh went inside the palace and tied a dastaar (turban) as tall as one hand. He donned a blue dress and a small Khanda. He placed a Chakar (round disc carried on a belt or worn on the turban) on himself and carried his kirpan. Over his dastaar he wrapped a ‘dumalla’ and in his hand, he held a spear. He then approached his brothers who were playing and said: “Now I don’t look small.”
When Guru Gobind Singh saw his young son dressed in the warrior’s gear, he stated: “From this dress, the Nihangs will be formed”.
Meanwhile, according to one account, Nihangs originated with Guru Hargobind, who established schools to teach an elite warrior class known as the Akali Nihang after the Mughals murdered his predecessor, Guru Arjan Dev, for refusing to convert to Islam.
How to identify Nihang Sikhs
Nihangs are a Sikh sect, distinguished by their blue robes, called Khalsa Swarupa and decorated turbans (dastar bunga) surmounted with a chakram or steel quoits. Akali Naina Singh, a Nihang warrior and junior commander in the Shahid misl in the eighteenth century, is credited with inventing the towering pyramidal turban that is still worn by Nihangs today.
A Nihang donning the traditional dastar bunga, Image credit: cvltnation.com
Today, Nihang still wear miniature versions of five weapons (pancha shastra) in their turbans, namely the chakram, the khanda (sword), the karud (dagger), the kirpan, and the tir (arrow).
The Nihangs don iron bracelets or jangi kada around the wrist and chakram and iron chains around the neck. They wear leather shoes called jangi moze, with a sharp metal fitting at the toe that can be used as a weapon. Moreover, a buffalo skin shield serves as a back shield for the Nihangs. They not just carry modern weapons but are also loaded with traditional weapons like swords or kirpans, spears and small handheld daggers.
The Nihangs are typically armed to the teeth with not just modern firearms, but also traditional weapons, image source: cvltnation.com
The origin of the Sect
Nihang comes from the Persian term Nihang, which means crocodile, alligator, shark, or water dragon, and denotes ferocity and valour.
This particular sect traces its origin to the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Many people refer to the sect as “guru di laadli fauj,” or the guru’s favourite army.
The sect is believed to have emerged from the Akaal Sena, a band of soldiers of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru. Later, the Akaal Sena converted into the 10th guru’s ‘Khalsa Fauj.’
After the fall of the first Sikh monarchy (1710-15), when Mughal governors were murdering Sikhs, and also during the onslaught of Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Durrani, Nihangs played a key part in preserving the Sikh Panth (1748-65).
Nihangs were crucial in defending the Sikhs during the frequent attacks of Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Abdali in the mid-18th century. They were also the most powerful warriors in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army. In reality, the Nihang warriors are largely responsible for the fall of Multan in 1818 to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sarkar-e-Khalsa.
Following the British takeover of Punjab in 1849, Akali regiments were disbanded, and with military service as their sole vocation, their numbers gradually plummeted. In the 1892 census, just 1,376 people were listed as “Sikh Akalis or Nihangs,” and by 1901, the number had dropped to 431, with an additional 136 people registering as Akalis by caste. There were 457 men and 110 women among them.
The term Akali became linked with Gurdwara reformers who organised themselves into a political organisation, the Shiromani Akali Dal, during the Gurdwara reform movement (1920-25). The Nihangs are no longer called Akalis.
The last prominent Nihang known as an Akali was Akali Kaur Singh (1886-1953).
The lifestyle followed by Nihang Sikhs
According to professor Paramjit Singh, Judge of the Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Nihangs are said to have their own deras and a specific way of life.
“Those who are married are given the charge of taking care of the deras while the others move around the state. The deras have weapons, licensed firearms, horses and generally, everyone undergoes martial training,” informed the professor.
“Earlier, they used to live in makeshift deras called chhaavni or cantonments. But now permanent deras have come up at many places in the state, where they live learning martial arts like gatka, horse riding and wielding weapons,” said Paramjit Singh, adding most deras house gurdwara.
Nihangs’ earlier lived in makeshift deras called chhaavni or cantonments
The Nihangs gather money from neighbouring communities to run these deras. The attached agriculture areas are cultivated for livelihood in the larger deras. These people also own and operate schools, horseback riding centres, and martial arts academies in these deras.
Difference between Nihangs and other Sikhs
Khalsa Sikhs are of two types. Firstly, those who put on blue attire which Guru Gobind Singh used to wear at the time of battle and secondly, those who do not follow any particular dress code.
Nihangs are the ones who strictly follow the Khalsa code of conduct. “They do not profess any allegiance to an earthly master… Instead of saffron, they hoist a blue Nishan Sahib (flag) atop their shrines,” said Sikh historian Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon.
The Haryana police have made one arrest in the brutal murder of Dalit labourer Lakhbir Singh at the Kundli border. The accused named Nihang Sarabjit was arrested by the Police. A media report suggests that the ‘Nihang’ was arrested after he surrendered claiming responsibility for killing Lakhbir Singh.
A video shared by news agency ANI shows the police taking away the accused in a police van amidst “Bole so Nihal” slogans.
As can be seen in the snippet, the Nihang Sikhs who have gathered around the police van, chant the slogan as the police lead the accused into the police jeep.
#WATCH | Haryana Police detains one person in connection with the Singhu border incident.
A body was found hanging with hands, legs chopped at the spot where farmers’ protest is underway (Kundli, Sonipat). FIR has been lodged. pic.twitter.com/gxfXTJ4kIu
Reports suggest that the arrest is made based on suspicion, and further investigation is underway.
On Friday, October 15, a gruesome murder was reported from the Singhu-Kundli border protest site where farmers have been camping for more months now against the three farm laws. A badly mutilated corpse of a man, whose hands were chopped and legs cut, was suspended over a police barricade, reportedly by Nihang Sikhs for allegedly committing blasphemy. The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Lakhbir Singh.
A video clip had emerged in which some Nihangs were seen standing around the injured man with his severed left hand close to his head. He is accused of desecrating a Sikh sacred book by the group.
According to the FIR, locals had informed the police that Nihangs had chopped off a hand of the man, later identified as Lakhbir Singh and strung him to a nearby scaffolding.
The FIR also mentions that there was a huge crowd of Nihang community members gathered at the place. However, none of them assisted the police in their investigation and protested against the police for removing the body of the decedent from the scaffolding.
Section 302, which deals with murder, and Section 304, which deals with death by negligence had been filed against unknown people in the case. An investigation has been ordered to probe the matter.
