Uday Singh (Punjabi: ਉਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ) is the current spiritual leader of the Namdhari community and is headquartered at Takht Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana.[1] Uday Singh was nominated by Jagjit Singh's wife (Chand Kaur) to be the next Satguru of the Namdhari community. Uday Singh is the chairman of Namdhari Seeds and a patron of the Namdhari Hockey team[2] and a founder of and now chairman of Namdhari Seeds[2][3][4] and Chairman of the Sri Sat Guru Partap Singh Hospital.[5]
Sri SatGuru Uday Singh Ji | |
|---|---|
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਉਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ | |
 | |
| Born | India |
| Occupation | Spiritual leader of Namdhari sect |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Organization | Sri Bhaini Sahib |
| Title | Guru of the Namdharis |
| Predecessor | Guru Jagjit Singh |
| Board member of | Chairman of Namdhari Group, Bangalore Chairman of Satguru Pratap Singh Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana Punjab |
Life and background
editUday Singh is the nephew of the former head Jagjit Singh. He was declared the current leader in 2012 .[6][7]
In 2016, the Namdhari leader was given permission to bullet proof three of his cars and was accorded Z-plus security from the Indian government[8] after the murder of the Chand Kaur[9] and a bomb blast in Jalandhar.[10]
Environment & Social Reform
editFocusing on providing livelihood security in disadvantaged areas a new project on “Promotion of Rural Women Self Help Group Through Dairy Development” was launched by PNASF, Bangalore on March 31, 2007 in which Uday Singh was present amongst other dignitaries.[11]
In 2018, he inaugurated a new old age home in Patiala.[12]
In January 2019, the Sri Uday Singh pledge commitment to its restoration. The event, titled “Aan Milo Daryao,” was held near the Sewerage Treatment plant on Tajpur Road and aimed to raise awareness about the pollution affecting the water body. Participants, including prominent figures such environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, and singer Harbhajan Mann, took an oath to undertake concrete efforts to clean the river. Seechewal emphasized the moral obligation to protect nature, stating, “Nature is God, and it is our duty to safeguard it.” Organizers reported positive support from the public, administration, and local industries, expressing their commitment to ongoing efforts to revitalize Buddha Nullah and promote awareness in educational institutions.[13]
In 2020 he encouraged Indians to remain at home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]
Celebration of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
editIn 2019, Uday Singh organised a special nagar kirtan to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in Sultanpur Lodhi.[15][16]
Controversy
editThere were disagreements and division amongst the Namdhari community surrounding his ascension as the next guru succeeding Guru Jagjit Singh in 2012.[17][18][19]
He was attacked by a person during August 2013 in England who claimed of sexual abuse in the mid-1990's. [20] It was denied by him and the reason invalidated by Birmingham Crown Court finding the attack a vicious assassination attempt. [21]
References
edit- ^ Venkat, Vaivasvat (December 17, 2012). "Udai Singh is new head of Namdharis". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ a b Singh, Joginder. "Namdhari Sikhs of Punjab: Historical Profile" (PDF). Journal of Punjab Studies. 21 (2): 289.
- ^ "Our Journey". www.namdhariseeds.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Sharma, Viney (2007-06-11). "Namdhari's seed has borne fruit over the years". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "namdhariGroup". namdharisgroup.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Thakur Udai Singh is next Satguru". Hindustan Times. 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Shannon welcome for Sikh religious leader". ClareHerald.com. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Uday Singh allowed to bulletproof three of his vehicles". The Indian Express. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Chand Kaur murder: A wealthy sect, an old family feud and the murder of a matriarch". The Indian Express. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Jalandhar car bomb blast: Satguru Uday Singh was on accused's target". Hindustan Times. 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
- ^ "PNASF". www.pnasf.in. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਉਦੈ ਸਿੰਘ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬਿਰਧ ਆਸ਼ਰਮ ਕੰਪਲੈਕਸ ਦਾ ਉਦਘਾਟਨ". punjabitribuneonline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
- ^ "Activists, artists join hands to save Buddha Nullah". The Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- ^ "ਨਾਮਧਾਰੀ ਮੁਖੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਉਦੈ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਕੋਰੋਨਾ ਵਾਇਰਸ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਦੇਸ਼ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਪੀਲ (Namdhari Chief Satguru Udai Singh Ji appeals to the people of the country regarding corona virus)". Jagbani TV.
- ^ "2-week SGPC celebrations kick off at Sultanpur Lodhi". Hindustan Times. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਪੁਰਬ ਰਲ-ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਮਨਾਏ ਜਾਣ : ਉਦੈ ਸਿੰਘ". Punjabi Jagran News. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
- ^ "Chand Kaur murder: A wealthy sect, an old family feud and the murder of a matriarch". The Indian Express. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ "Namdhari sect succession struggle turns violent, 5 injured in Amritsar". The Hindu. 2013-02-25. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ "Namdharis' wedge: A sect divided between two brothers, two states". Hindustan Times. 2016-09-04. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ "Namdhari Sikh leader injured in attack at UK gurdwara". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Temple axe attack man convicted". BBC News. 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2020-03-28.