This story is almost forgotten, eclipsed from the minds of Indians.
As the history tells us, on 28th November, 1858, Punjab’s Mahant Nihang Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa led 25 Sikhs to the disputed land - Babri Masjid, which was the original place of birth of God Rama.
The Nihang Sikhs entered the mosque. There they performed a havan (a fire ritual) and started praying and chanting the name of Rama. And while they’re praying, 25 Nihang Sikhs surrounded the mosque on all 4 sides and write ‘Ram’ with coal inside the mosque.
Then they offered prayers to Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Later, these Nihang Sikhs increased the height of Ram Chabutra (where the Hindus were allowed to pray to Rama). There they place the picture of Lord Ram and increased the area to pray and chant.
The mosque’s Muezzin — Sayyed Muhammed Khateeb made a written complaint to the area’s Thanedar — Sheetal Dubey about the incident.
The authorities reached the site and forcibly removed Baba Nihang Singh and his follower.
Upon being forced out, another issue cropped up. Whenever the Azan was made, the Nihang Sikhs would simultaneously blow the conches. Such daily incidents led to increased tensions but the British authorities were able to muscle it down.
Come to present day.
When the Praan Pratishtha (consecration) was to be performed at the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the descendants of Nihang Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa were not forgotten. They were invited to organize a ‘langar’ at the Ram Mandir.
Baba Fakir Singh’s descendant Jathedar Baba Harjit Singh was invited for this purpose.
Speaking to ANI, Baba Harjit Singh said, “We are part of Sanatan. This is our Dharma. We have worked to keep it alive.” He requested Hindus and Sikhs to celebrate the consecration of the Ram Mandir for Ram Lalla together on 22nd January 2024.
Baba Harjit Singh said he wanted to carry forward his ancestor’s devotion towards Bhagwan Ram by holding the langar along with other Nihangs, a distinct sect among the Sikhs identified by their loose, dark blue apparel and their plumed turbans. “Now, when the Prana Pratishtha (consecration) of Lord Rama is being done on January 22, 2024, how can I lag behind?” he asked while addressing the media in Chandigarh Sunday.
source: Ram Mandir inauguration: Descendant of Nihang who barged Babri Masjid in 1858, to organise langar in Ayodhya on Jan 22
