Sukhbir Badal attacked: Who are the Nihang Sikhs of Punjab?

On Thursday, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, was attacked by a group of Nihang Sikhs in Maharashtra's Nanded. The attack, which involved four Nihangs wielding weapons, marks the second time Badal has been targeted by this Sikh warrior order. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Sukhbir's sister and an MP, was present at the Gurdwara Mata Sahib during the incident.

Nihang Sikhs are an order of Sikh warriors, recognized by their blue robes, traditional arms, and distinctive turbans. The term "Nihang" has Persian origins, meaning alligator, sword, and pen, but is also linked to the Sanskrit word "nihshank," meaning fearless, unblemished, and carefree. The order originated in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa, a community of initiated Sikhs.

According to Sikh historian Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon, the Nihang order was named after Guru Gobind Singh's son, Fateh Singh, who wore blue clothing and a turban adorned with a steel quoit. This attire, according to Dhillon, became the symbol of the Nihang warriors. Nihangs distinguish themselves from other Sikhs by adhering strictly to the Khalsa code of conduct and standing out in their blue attire, a flag, and their readiness for battle with the slogans "chhardi kala" and "tiar bar tiar."

The Nihang community is organized into several factions, with three major groups being the Baba Budha Dal, Tarna Dal, and Baba Bidhi Chand Dal. Each faction may further split into numerous sub-factions, making an exact count of Nihangs challenging. Anyone can join the Nihang order, provided they maintain unshorn hair, adhere to Sikh traditions, and follow the five banis, or daily obligations.