LONDON, UK—The attack on Thakur Uday, one of the heirs of Baba Jagjit, the so-called namdhari “guru,” this past Sunday has left the UK Sikh community fearful of increased backlash and scrutiny from officials in England. The attack came after the controversial leader was attacked at the Namdhari Gurdwara in Leicester this past Sunday. Uday survived the attack but had serious injuries. He was admitted to the hospital and the attacker, Harmeet Singh, was arrested soon after.
The attack seems very similar in nature to the failed attempt to punish General KS Brar, who was attacked by four Sikhs earlier this year. Similar to Uday, Brar too survived the attack but faced some injuries to his neck. This second attack is likely to bring increased scrutiny to the Sikh community living in the UK.
In addition, some Sikh youth were recently rounded up by the British Police in relation to an attack on a Muslim operated restaurant, which was being used as a centre to seduce Sikh girls into prostitution by paedophiles.
Sikh24 has reasons to speculate on a wider agenda behind the failed attack on Thakur Uday. The namdhari chief has faced serious threats to his life in the past few months as he was declared the chief of the Namdharis without full support from the sect. Threats to Uday have emerged from the namdharis who have opposed his appointment. Although in Punjab and India, the namdharis are seen as different from mainstream Sikhs, those unacquainted with the differences between Sikhism and the British created sect fail to differentiate between the two.
While much is still to be learned at this point, Sikh24 is aware of the fact that Harmeet Singh’s close relatives affiliate with Thakur Daleep, a rival of Thakur Uday. Daleep’s group has been holding protests and, at times, different groups within the namdhari sect have also resorted to violence. It is important for security and law enforcement agencies in the UK to not look at this incident as an internal affair of the Sikhs, but rather as an affair related to the namdharis only. The namdharis are a separate religious group. Although they share a similar appearance, both groups have distinct beliefs and practices.
It is important for security and law enforcement agencies in the UK to not look at this incident as an internal affair of the Sikhs, but rather as an affair related to the namdharis only.
In addition, Sikh24 questions the UK embassy based in India on why Thakur Uday was issued clearance to visit the UK when he is facing serious physical threats in India. Similar to KS Brar, Uday enjoys elevated security in India, but the same arrangements are not possible in UK. In lieu of such details, why such persons are allowed to leave India remains a major area of concern for the Sikhs who are being made to suffer the brunt of the backlash.
In India, it is widely known that namdhari leaders are easily approachable. If Thakur Uday—or even Jagjit—were a target for Sikhs, there would have been attempts long ago—attempts in the UK wouldn’t be necessary. In fact, many Panthik Sikhs do not see the namdharis as a threat as much as a misguided group, created by the British to weaken Sikh freedom movements. Many Sikhs have taken it upon themselves to reach out to namdharis in a peaceful way, as can be seen on http://www.NamdhariTruth.info.
It is all about Money. Brother fighting brother. Yet these so called Guru’s should be above the materialist things. The fight is who will control the Billion dollar property around the world. Than there is Jai singh the son in law who also has ambitions to be a Guru. He must be laughing seeing the brothers are blood thirsty
this is wrong that british created namdhari sect. read the history. only namdharis saved the glory of sikhs. when butcherkhana slaughter house was constructed before the harimandir sahib only namdharis responded. namdharis were first to oppose british and when they sacrificed their lives for country the akal takhat offered siropa to cowwen. this is proved in manu sessions of indian history congress. you can read the proceedings. even non namdhari historians presented their papers on the topic
I do agree with harry .The writer credibility is certainly zero as namdhari’s history is full of pride .The known fact is that khalsa fell into control of british empire and lot of sikh youth ended up with arya movement.
The author has failed to make reference to SIKH CHANNEL UK telecasts where namdhari’s and other spiritual organizations were declared enemies of panth,etc and uk based sikh channel done it’s best to spread hatred between sikhs and other communities..So why not british police should bring sikhs under scrutiny when other people are being threatened .
How is that racist? It is historical fact that the British created the namdhari sect in the mid 1800s while Baba Ram Singh was imprisoned by sending false letters to his followers proclaiming him guru.
You have to know what you are talking about before spewing hate.
“between Sikhism and the British created sect”
This is where this article and its author lost all credibility for me. It is one thing to uphold your own beliefs and present facts and informed opinions but to marginalize the contribution of a group of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Indian freedom movement in addition to fighting for Sikh values; it is rather shameful.
For the sake of your own readership, please do some research before sputtering hatered fueled propaganda messages across the web.
This coming from someone who doesn’t even believe in organized religion.
Please open your eyes while reeding history namdharis .you are a insult to all freedom fighters in india