Скачать или смотреть The Sant Nirankari Army - A Force of Conflict and Controversy

The Sant Nirankari Mission, often presented as a spiritual movement, shocked observers with the formation of its own militarised force, the Sant Nirankari Seva Dal. Far from mere volunteers, this group operated like a paramilitary army, with khaki uniforms, regional command structures and strict discipline. By 1954, the army boasted over 7,000 lathi bearing recruits, trained by commanders known as Shikshaks and Sanchalaks.

The organisation justified this force as protection following alleged attacks, yet critics pointed to its use in violently confronting Sikhs. An eyewitness at a Nirankari Smagam in Delhi recalled being “startled to see an army of uniformed soldiers… commanded with a whistle.” These were not ushers, they were a regimented militia, complete with cross belts, whistles, turbans and even women’s uniform divisions in sky blue salwar kameez.

Members were categorised into A, B and C units based on population and location. Soldiers purchased their own uniforms, while the leadership supplied only belts and badges. The highly disciplined dress code extended even to a five foot red painted lathi with a nine inch white tip, used during both parades and conflict.

This very army was involved in the Amritsar massacre on 13 April 1978, where Sant Nirankari Seva Dal members killed 13 peaceful Sikhs and injured over 80 more. Reports suggest they had previously engaged in similar acts of aggression in Punjab and Bombay. The unit was led by Partap Singh, later named a proclaimed offender. Notably, he had once “planned to blow up the Karachi Secretariat” and had served time for “robbing a railway train.”

Far from a symbol of spiritual service, the Sant Nirankari Army became infamous as a private militia at the heart of one of the most explosive religious conflicts in modern Indian history, leaving a legacy of uniformed violence, deep sectarian divisions and unanswered questions.

Instrumental – Roopa Panesar