Nanded: A mob of sword-wielding Sikhs on Monday attacked policemen, injuring at least four of them, after being denied permission to hold a public procession in Nanded due to the coronavirus pandemic, an official said.
A viral video showed the sword-wielding mob barging out of the Huzur Sahib gurdwara, breaking the barricades put up by police and attacking the policemen. Several vehicles were also damaged in the violence.
Speaking to the media, Nanded Superintendent of police (SP) Pramod Kumar Shewale said, "Permission for Hola Mohalla (Halla Bol) wasn't granted due to COVID-19. Gurudwara committee was informed and they'd said that they would do it inside Gurudwara."
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"The committee had said they'll do it inside Gurudwara premises itself. But around 4 pm when Nishan Sahib was brought to the gate, they started arguing and 300-400 youth broke the gate and marched outside. Four police personnel were injured and vehicles were damaged. An FIR has been registered and a probe is on," the SP added.
Nishan Sahib is a triangular saffron-coloured flag furling outside a gurdwara on a steel pole covered with a saffron-coloured cloth.
The flag also has an insignia called Khanda in the middle, which includes two swords and a chakra.
Hola Mohalla (Hola) is a Sikh festival that comes a day after Holi.
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Unlike Holi, when people sprinkle the coloured powder on each other, Hola Mohalla is an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills.
Nanded is an important Sikh pilgrimage centre as it is home to a sacred shrine, the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib.
It was here that the 10th and last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), anointed the holy book Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of Sikhism and spent the last 14 months of his life.
(With inputs from agencies)
