Standoff at Nagrasu Gurdwara Enters Third Day
The stalemate between a group of Nihang Sikhs and the local administration continued on Monday at the Nagrasu gurdwara in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, with authorities describing the situation as 'tense but under control'. The Nihang Sikh group, which has forcibly occupied the rooftop and upper floors of the gurdwara located on the Badrinath Highway, is demanding the release of four Nihang Sikh pilgrims arrested following a clash with locals in Karnaprayag on June 16.
Background of the Clash
The four pilgrims were booked after an argument over a parking issue escalated into violence. The clash left four people injured, including a Sikh pilgrim. Amid rumours that devotees and gurdwara staff had been taken hostage by the Nihang group, conflicting accounts have emerged.
Administration Denies Hostage Situation
On Monday, the district administration issued a clarification denying any hostage situation, saying normal activities at the shrine were continuing. However, gurdwara caretakers accused the Nihang Sikhs of forcibly taking control of the premises, assaulting volunteers, vandalising property and hurling stones at police personnel and locals. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra dismissed reports of a takeover or hostage situation. While acknowledging that a disagreement had occurred, he said the gurdwara management committee was functioning peacefully. According to Mishra, prayers, langar service and the movement of devotees at the gurdwara continue without disruption. He appealed to the public not to spread or believe in unverified claims circulating on social media.
Witness Accounts
Local and social activist Tribhuvan Chauhan, who said that he witnessed the developments, stated that while the situation had eased somewhat, tensions remained until the Nihang group vacates the gurdwara premises. 'There is no hostage situation. The Nihangs have released a few individuals who were earlier in their custody. However, the dispute between the Nihang Sikhs, who are still occupying the upper floors, the gurdwara management, and the Sikh sevadars residing there remains unresolved,' Chauhan said. He confirmed that ardaas, langar service and prayers were being conducted peacefully under heavy police deployment around the gurdwara. Devotees, he added, continued to visit the shrine.
Sequence of Events
According to local accounts, the group arrived at the gurdwara on June 20 and allegedly created disturbances by misbehaving with volunteers. Despite the tension, the gurdwara authorities allowed them to stay overnight and provided them food. Baba Beant Singh, granthi of the gurdwara, said the situation escalated on the morning of June 21 when members of the group again clashed with volunteers. 'We tried to persuade them to leave peacefully. When they noticed the police presence outside, they believed they were about to be arrested. They went to the fifth floor, damaged the walls and began throwing stones at police personnel and people gathered outside,' Singh alleged.
Impact and Ongoing Tensions
The standoff has drawn attention to the broader issue of law and order in the region, with the Badrinath Highway remaining a key route for pilgrims. Heavy police deployment continues around the gurdwara to prevent further escalation. The Nihang Sikhs, a distinct order within Sikhism known for their martial tradition, have not yet vacated the premises, and the demand for the release of the four arrested pilgrims remains unresolved.
