On 5th January 2017, during the 350th Prakaash Utsav (birth anniversary) celebrations, Giani Iqbal Singh, along with Harnam Singh Dhumma and three other Singhs from Takht Sri Patna Sahib, stood before the Sangat, where Iqbal Singh proclaimed he was issuing an edict to the Panth.
Since then, the controversial ‘Hukamnama’ has been propagated by Sikh2Inspire and Jagowale group in the UK, who have already been exposed to have links with Dhumma who has clear ties with the RSS and anti-Sikh Badal establishment. There are claims that Sikh2Inspire and Jagowale group had asked Dhumma’s right hand man, Charanjit Singh Jassowal, to pressurize Iqbal Singh to use his authority to undermine the Sikh Rehit Maryada followed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Iqbal Singh’s controversial edict is being seen as a way to further split the Panth on the basis of maryada. The edict asks all Sikhs to reject the Akal Takht Sahib’s ruling on Raagmala and makes it mandatory for the entire Panth.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada which is followed at Akal Takht Sahib states that the collective Panth has not reached a conclusion on whether it is the Guru’s work or not. Iqbal Singh further labelled all Sikhs who do not adhere to this edict as “enemies of the Khalsa” and asked the Sangat to boycott them.
In issuing such an edict, Iqbal Singh has undermined the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib again, and played into the hands of anti-Sikh forces which seek to hijack the Panth with their personal Maryada and agenda, which is being led by Harnam Singh Dhumma with the support of Prakash Badal and the RSS. Dhumma verbally endorsed the edict at the same event.
The edict of Iqbal Singh was made under the false pretense of respecting Gurbani and Sri Dasam Granth, but this is far from the truth. Iqbal Singh, clearly misused and hijacked the 350th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and used controversial issues of the time to create divisions in the Panth and undermine the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and playing into the hands of anti-Sikh forces.
Hall of Shame: Giani Iqbal Singh
Iqbal Singh, born in 1959, became a Granthi at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, in 1985. In August 2000 he was appointed as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
The management of Takht Sri Patna Sahib remained in the hands of the Mahants from 1797 to 1930, and then the supervisory committee and trustees appointed by district judge Patna, looked after its management. In accordance to the constitution passed by district judge of Patna Sahib, the fifteen-member committee that manages and controls the Takht includes 3 nominated district judges of Patna, and 1 nominated member of the Sanatani Sikh Sabha, Patna City. This illustrates governmental and non-Sikh influences in the management and control of the Takht Sahib.
- Charged of Polygamy
Jathedar Vedanti refused to accept the plea of Iqbal Singh that polygamy was prevalent in the past and acceptable in Sikhi. He justified his behaviour by falsely claiming Guru Gobind Singh Ji had three wives, and that Maharaja Ranjit Singh who is called ‘Singh Sahib’ had more than one wife.
- Accused of Infidelity
8 May 2008: His ex-wife gave a video interview in which she claimed that Iqbal Singh had an affair with Amritpal Kaur, the President of Istree Satsang Sabha, whilst they were together. She accused Iqbal Singh of having an immoral character. When his wife challenged him, she claims Iqbal Singh beat her on three occasions.
- Banned from Jathedar meetings for undermining supremacy of Sri Akal Takht
In a “Gurmatta”, the Singh Sahibs said all other Takhts could only take up regional matters, not Panthik. Iqbal Singh was criticized for raising issues regarding Dasam Granth, which were declared unwarranted.
Furthermore, the Gurmatta urged the Sikh Sangat to ignore the directives being issued by Iqbal Singh as Jathedar Patna Sahib. By passing the resolution, the Singh Sahibs imposed an undeclared ban on the entry of Iqbal Singh in the meetings of Akal Takht.
- Honored Badal with “Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Quam”
Gave clean chit to Radha Soami Dera
2 August, 2012: The Radha Soami Dera was given a clean chit in a meeting attended by Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Singh Tarlochan Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Iqbal Singh and Giani Jagtar Singh, Granthi Sri Darbar Sahib. The then Jathedars of the Takhts gave a clean chit to Radhasoami Dera Beas for the demolition of Gurdwara in Waraich village in Amritsar. No representation of Sri Hazoor Sahib participated.
- Attended RSS function in violation of Sri Akal Takht Hukamnama
In 2004, Sri Akal Takht Sahib issued a ‘Sandesh’ (a message to the Panth) to boycott the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its offshoot, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, for their continuous anti-Sikh activities that seek to undermine and destroy Sikhi.
After a string of serious anti-Sikh activities that came to light in the wider Sikh community, Sri Akal Takht Sahib called for the boycott, which meant no Sikh was to interact or support the RSS or anyone affiliated to it, in any manner.
It is clear that Iqbal Singh has violated the 2004 ruling of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and betrayed the Panth.
- Dismissed as Takht Jathedar by Takht Sahib Management Committee
When the announcement was made, Iqbal Singh and his followers stood up on stage, causing a violent clash. As a consequence, the Takht Sahib Management Committee dismissed Iqbal Singh as a Jathedar of the Takht.
- Pardoned anti-Sikh cult leader, Gurmeet Ram Rahim
The letter seeking “forgiveness” by Ram Rahim is said to have been prepared and sent under political guidance of the Punjab Government led by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).
It is notable that in May, 2007 Gurmeet Ram Rahim had conducted an activity in his cult, resembling the Amrit Sanchaar custom, in which he dressed up like Guru Gobind Singh wearing costumes like him.
Giani Gurbachan Singh has said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim is pardoned after accepting his alleged apology.
The actual letter of Ram Rahim did not seek forgiveness, instead emphasized that he had not impersonated any Guru, Saint or Prophet. The meeting of the Jathedars was attended by Giani Gurbachan Singh (Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib), Giani Mall Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib), Giani Iqbal Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib), Giani Ram Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib) and Giani Gurmukh Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib).
- Sarbat Khalsa rejects Jathedar
However, only the three Takhts within Punjab, were replaced with new Jathedars. In accordance to the Sarbat Khalsa, Iqbal Singh, has no authority to address the Khalsa Panth as a Jathedar.
- Defended insulting comments about Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji
Rather than summon and punish Satnam Singh Pipli, Iqbal Singh used the Takht Patna Sahib stage during Katha to defend Satnam Singh Pipli by saying he only quoted Suraj Prakash and that is what happened.
On 25 December 2015, Gurmukh Singh, a Badal appointed Jathedar of Sri Damdama Sahib, said to the media that the unforgivable sin of Satnam Singh Pipli has been justified by Iqbal Singh and furthermore transformed the 350 years celebrations into part of an anti-Sikh agenda.
Very sad…Sikhism is all about respect for all religions but we do condemn fanaticism which is considering your religion supreme and others inferior. Please everyone follow our Gurus bani and Guru Granth Sahib and stop confusing the religion. You are a Sikh if you follow Guru Granth Sahib..Leave things as they have been over the years. No need to rake new controversy..it’s all a ploy by anti Sikhs to break us..United we stand..We have been a strong and peace loving community..please stay that way. If you wish to deviate please you are free to do so just stop calling yourself a Sikh.
The anti Sikhs are confused about their own religion and are using Sikhism as a scape goat and support system which they will swallow for their own greed..wake up pls..?
Sikh leaders, scholars, & Jathedars have written “For Sale” on their foreheads & Hindu rulers & anti sikh forces need such gadaars. We need a leader “Guru the Khalsa” & these masands should be punished like Guru Sahib did with masands. Rest Bhai Rajinder Narang well said, we shouldn’t create controversies if we love sikh panth & Guru Sahib.
It is mind boggling that we are fighting over rahat maryadas and what not. If you are a sikh there should be no controversy and path is crystal clear. Guru Gobind Singh ji in no uncertain terms ordered the sikhs to follow Aad Guru Granth Sahib ji as our living Guru and nothing else. Guru Gobind Singh ji ordered us again to keep 5K’s ( Amrit). If one follow these two simple orders where is the problem one keeps 5K’s and take advice from Guru Granth Sahib ji to deal with your daily social and spiritual problems.
Good information along with pictures and videos.