PATNA, Bihar, India—The dispute between Takht Sri Patna Sahib former Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, and the Patna Sahib Committee members, took a new turn when the former Jathedar, or head clergyman, declared half a dozen of his opponents to be tankhaiya or “guilty of religious misconduct.” Giani Iqbal Singh has declared Maharaj Singh, Charanjit Singh, Bhupinder Singh Sadhu, Harwinder Sarna , Former Delhi Committee president Paramjit Sarna, and senior Vice President, Bhajan Singh Walia to be guilty.
In a statement, Bhupinder Sadhu said that Giani Iqbal Singh had previously filed criminal lawsuits against the Patna Sahib management committee. Now that the high court has issued bail, the former Jathedar is declaring his opposition to be guilty of religious misconduct. He said that the Management Committee of Patna Sahib is fully dedicated to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and even in the case of the January 7, 2014, it followed guidelines of the Akal Takht, and cooperated with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) team sent to investigate.
Sadhu said that Giani Iqbal Singh has no right to declare anyone tankhaiya as he is no longer the head Granthi, or attending clergyman, of Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
Previously, the management committee officially appointed Giani Partap Singh to be the sub-jathedar, however the action was denounced by Giani Iqbal Singh. Gurpurab celebrations on January 7, 2014 became violent when Giani Iqbal Singh, and his supporters, objected to Giani Partap Singh speaking at Takht Sahib.
The appointment of Giani Partap Singh came as preparation for a major gurpurab, or commemoration event, to be held in 2017, that is to be celebrated at Patna Sahib. Giani Iqbal Singh disapproved of the appointment as he saw it as a challenge to his authority. Although Giani Iqbal Singh has been officially sacked, he is claiming that the local management committee has no power to either remove, or appoint Jathedars.
