Context:
Recently, hundreds of followers of two rival groups of the Namdhari religious sect clashed violently in Rania in Haryana Sirsa district.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Namdhari Sect
- Origin and Advocacy: Founded by Satguru Ram Singh in 1857 during the festival of Baisakhi, the Namdhari sect is notable for its foundation in social reform and resistance against British rule in India.
- Unique Practices: Known colloquially as “Kukas,” a term derived from their distinctive high-pitched chant called “Kook” of the Gurbani, the followers were directed by Satguru Ram Singh to reject all British influences.
- Leadership and Resistance: Over time, Baba Ram Singh emerged as a secular leader, organizing the Kukas across Punjab, promoting military training among the youth, and facing severe repercussions, including deportation to Rangoon by the British, from which he never returned.
- Spiritual Beliefs: The Namdharis hold the Guru Granth Sahib as the ultimate spiritual authority but uniquely, they also recognize a living human as a Guru.
- Cultural Practices: Adherents of the sect uphold the cow as sacred, abstain from alcohol, and avoid caffeine, reflecting their commitment to purity.
- Headquarters: The main center for the Namdharis is situated in Ludhiana’s Bhaini Sahib, the birthplace of Ram Singh, with additional establishments stretching across Punjab, Haryana, and internationally.
-Source: Indian Express
