dateline:After the violent incident at Takhat Sri Patna Sahib, there have been reports that Giani Iqbal Singh has been sacked by the local management committee. �It has been reported to Sikh24 that the management committee had officially appointed Giani Partap Singh as sub-Jathedar however this move was denounced by Giani Iqbal Singh. �Giani Iqbal Singh has been causing many problems in management of Takhat Sri Patna Sahib. �At times he has questioned the superiority of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and passed out hukamnamas without approval of other Takhats.
The appointment of Giani Partap Singh came in process to prepare to a major Gurpurab celebration in 2017 that is to be celebrated at Patna Sahib. �Giani Iqbal Singh disapproved of this appointment as he saw it as a challenge to his authority. �Although now Giani Iqbal Singh has been officially sacked, he has claimed that the local management committee has no power to remove or appoint Jathedars.
On the other hand, Giani Iqbal Singh has continued to face criticism from Panthik Jathebandis. �Senior Akali leader S. Manjit Singh Calcutta has been the first to blame Giani Iqbal Singh for the violent incident over the appointment of Giani Partap Singh as his deputy.
In a press statement S. Calcutta said, �To improve the arrangements made at Gurudwaras, its management committees make new appointments which is their general practice. Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee also has made similar decisions in case of Jathedar Ranjit Singh, Giani Puran Singh and Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. They were appointed and dismissed but none have created such circumstances in protest of such decisions publicly that led violation of Maryada and defamation of Sikh nation at international level.�
�Management committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib appointed additional Jathedar only for the assistance of Giani Iqbal Singh�, added Calcutta.
He also said that the incident has hurt the Sikhs around the world for which Giani Iqbal Singh must apologize with humbleness.
