Nihangs ‘occupy’ Uttarakhand gurdwara, conflicting claims emerge over ‘hostage situation’

A gurdwara has allegedly been taken over and a Sikh devotee taken hostage on the roof of the building by a group of Nihangs, armed with spears and swords, who demand the release of four members of their sect who were arrested following a clash in Chamoli on June 16. The incident took place in Nagrasu, Uttarakhand. Contradictory versions of the incident have emerged from the district administration regarding the hostage situation.

Standoff at Nagrasu gurdwara

While media reports quoting police officials stated that the hostage situation continues, the district administration has claimed that there was no hostage situation but admitted that a dispute had taken place inside the gurdwara.

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“A dispute erupted at a Gurdwara in Nagrasu between Nihang Sikhs, the Gurdwara management and the Sikh sevadars who live there. The Ardaas, Langar and prayers at the Gurdwara are all running smoothly and peacefully. The movement of people through the Gurdwara is also continuing normally. No one is facing any problems," Rudraprayag District Magistrate (DM) Vishal Mishra told ANI on Monday (June 22).

"Don't pay attention to rumours that the Gurdwara has been taken over, that someone has been taken hostage, or that any violence has occurred. No such incident has taken place. The Gurdwara's management committee is operating in a completely peaceful environment. There are no problems of any kind," he added.

What the DM said earlier

However, according to a PTI report, Mishra, in a statement on Sunday (June 21), said that the Nihangs have locked the third floor leading to the terrace where they have been holding an elderly Sikh man hostage.

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"An internal dispute took place inside the gurudwara. Police and administrative officials are present on site to maintain law and order. There is no disruption of any kind. Everything is proceeding peacefully."

He added that the Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage continues, and activities such as 'ardas', 'langar' are going on as usual at the gurdwara. Multiple news agencies have posted purported videos of the dispute on X, claiming that the "hostage situation" is still on.

Talks with Nihangs underway

A large police contingent was deployed at the site following the standoff that began on Saturday evening. The district administration on Sunday said the situation was fully under control and peaceful.

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"The police, district administration, and the Gurudwara management committee are in constant dialogue with the Nihang Sikhs, attempting to understand their concerns and find a solution," Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar had said.

"The talks have yielded positive results; one of the Nihangs has come down from the roof to speak with the administration and police, and dialogue with the remaining individuals is ongoing," she added.

Dispute over arrested members

The gurdwara management said the Nihangs had asked for "50-60 rooms" to house protesters who would come for a demonstration against the arrest of four members of their sect over a clash in Karnaprayag, Chamoli.

When the gurdwara failed to do it, the Nihangs allegedly resorted to violence, warning the authorities against any forceful action against them, they said.

According to the police, the Nihangs engaged in vandalism and then took the Sikh man who was at the gurdwara to the rooftop and started raising slogans. They are armed with spears, swords, axes, and kirpans, they said.

(With agency inputs)