2 weeks ago
Sukhbir Badal attacked by Nihangs at Nanded gurdwara; second attack
A very important Sikh leader in India, Sukhbir Singh Badal, was attacked by a group of people at a Sikh holy place called a gurdwara.
The attackers are called Nihang Sikhs, a special group of Sikh warriors who wear blue clothes and carry old-fashioned weapons like swords.
The police caught the people who attacked him.
This was not the first time he was attacked — the same group targeted him in December 2024 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Nihang Sikhs have existed for hundreds of years, since the time of Guru Gobind Singh, who created the Khalsa in 1699.
They are known for being very brave and for always being ready to fight.
There are many different groups of Nihangs in Punjab, so nobody knows exactly how many there are.
People can become Nihangs if they follow Sikh traditions, such as keeping their hair long and praying every day.
Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked by a group of Nihangs at Gurdwara Mata Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Four Nihangs carried out the attack, one wielding a weapon, and the attackers were taken into custody.
It is the second time Badal has been targeted by Nihangs; in December 2024 he was attacked at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Nihangs are a Sikh warrior order tracing back to the Khalsa's creation by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, known for blue robes and antiquated arms.
Nihangs are split into many factions, including Baba Budha Dal, Tarna Dal and Baba Bidhi Chand Dal, making their total numbers hard to count.
- Who
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy CM of Punjab, was attacked; Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was present.
- What
- Four Nihangs attacked Badal at Gurdwara Mata Sahib, one wielding a weapon, and the attackers were taken into custody.
- Where
- Gurdwara Mata Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra; the December 2024 attack took place at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
- When
- Thursday, as reported; a similar attack on Badal occurred in December 2024 in Amritsar.
- Why
- Not stated in the articles.
Key facts
- Person attacked
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy CM of Punjab
- Attackers
- Four Nihangs, one wielding a weapon
- Location
- Gurdwara Mata Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra
- Status of attackers
- Taken into custody
- Previous attack
- December 2024 at the Golden Temple, Amritsar
- MP present
- Harsimrat Kaur Badal
- Nihang order origin
- Tracing to the Khalsa's creation by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699
- Main Nihang factions
- Baba Budha Dal, Tarna Dal, Baba Bidhi Chand Dal
Quotes
Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon
Sikh historian
“Etymologically the word nihang in Persian means an alligator, sword and pen, but the characteristics of Nihangs seem to stem more from the Sanskrit word nihshank which means without fear, unblemished, pure, carefree and indifferent to worldly gains and comfort.”
indianexpress.com
“Any person irrespective of caste, creed or religion can be included provided he has unshorn hair as per the Sikh traditions at the time of entering the sect.”
indianexpress.com











