Nangs cont'd
Within modern India (and most of the world today),
punishment by execution is no longer possible.
The present day punishment handed out to a criminal
‘Nang’ upon his discovery involves a public humiliation
followed by excommunication from the Akali Nihang Dal. In some severe
cases, a criminal Nang may receive a severe physical beating before
being excommunicated, or, in addition, his hair and beard may be
cut. This act is seen by the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa, as a kick
back to the lowest of the low. Akali Nihang Baba Santa Singh comments:
‘We have no link with them [Nangs].
They have no honour or respect from us. They live in hiding
outside the Dal. If we get hold of them, we do with them the
following: a chain is put around their necks and they are physically
beaten. Such hypocrites cannot be allowed to stay in
the Panth [Budha Dal] and are to be driven out.’
(Akali Nihang Baba Santa Singh, transcript of recording, 28-10-1999)
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There are many criminal elements within Punjab and
India as a whole, who, in order to commit crimes adorn the Nihang
‘Baana’ [uniform] when committing such acts. Nangs are
not a new phenomenon as bogus criminal Nangs also existed in the
past. In the Rehitnama (code of conduct) of Bhai Chaupa Singh, a
prophecy attributed to Guru Gobind Singh is heard:
‘One time the complete being [Guru Gobind
Singh] said these words:
“In a hundred years my Panth
[Khalsa] will reach adulthood. As adulthood increases and [Panth]
matures, many are the vices that are found. Which vices?
All castes will force their way into the Sikh nation, even the
Malesh [filthy]. All the bad people will force
their way into the Sikh nation. They will look like Sikhs but
their actions will be of thieves, deceivers and Malesh. To look
at, they will be Sikhs but, their actions will be of evil with
the forbidden five [5 cults, ie. the Dhir Malia, Ram Rais, Masands,
and Minas]. Those, cutting their hair who have become apostate
[from the Khalsa faith] will have relations, and believe in
the five Pirs [Muslim holy men]. Not trustworthy, misers,
known as slanderers, evil persons, highway men, Guruless, speakers
of evil words, etc., such [characters] in appearance they will
seem as intelligent wise Sikhs”.’
(‘Rehitnameh’, Piara Singh Padam, Pa.121-122) |
In the same above Rehitnama, the Nangs are termed
as, ‘Roleh Deh Sikh’ meaning ‘Sikhs
of trouble’ or, are termed as, ‘Maikee Sikh’,
meaning ‘Sikhs who love 'Maya' (the illusionary magic of creation)’,
rather than Va-eh Guru.
The Guru, speaks more of these Nangs as Chaupa Singh
comments:
‘And those that are Sikhs of Roleh [trouble] are demons
who are born in the houses of Sikhs. And demons in guise
of Sikhs shall enter the Khalsa nation.’
(‘Rehitnameh’, Piara Singh Padam, Pa.124) |
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