Nihang Factions Reach Compromise

BiggChan · February 26, 2010

Nihang factions reach compromise

Umesh Dewan

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 26

After remaining at loggerheads for nearly three years, the two factions of the Nihang sect Baba Budha Dal today reached a compromise.

One of the factions led by Baba Joginder Singh extended its unconditional support to the other group headed by Baba Balbir Singh, the legal heir of the Baba Budha Dal. A formal announcement in this regard was made after a meeting of both the factions at Patiala Budha Dal Bagichi here. The decision to call truce by the two warring factions has given the district police a sigh of relief.

Notably, in April 2007, Baba Santa Singh formally announced Balbir as his legal heir of 96 Crori Shiromani Panth Akali Baba Budha Dal, headed by Baba Santa Singh. Subsequently, four relatives of Balbir were allegedly gunned down by the rival group led by Udey Singh and Surjit Singh. The main reason behind the fight was that Udey and Surjit were perturbed with Balbir’s installation as the heir of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal (Panjwan Takht) by Baba Santa Singh. After the clash, Uday went underground. Thereafter, Joginder Singh, who was backing Uday, had allegedly tried to eliminate Balbir on more than one occasion but failed.

In today’s meeting, Joginder said he is extremely disturbed as one of the Budha Dal follower Lakhbir Singh was murdered mercilessly by the followers of Uday, earlier this month in New Delhi. “Because of the said incident, I myself called up Balbir to offer my support and end all the differences,” he told The Tribune.

After the meeting, Balbir said he welcomed all the Nihangs, who want to apologise for their misconduct. He further said on coming March 1, they would celebrate Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib, while giving a call that anyone interested in joining their Dal can approach them during the Hola Mohalla celebrations.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100227/punjab.htm#7