Takht Patna Sahib ex-jathedar under fire for attending Ayodhya event, making objectionable remark

  • RSS Holds Akhand Path Sahib in Ayodhya and Giani Iqbal Singh Performs Ardas
  • Giani Iqbal Singh states that Sikhs are descendants of Lord Raam

AYODHYA, India—Takht Sri Patna Sahib former jathedar Iqbal Singh is under fire for attending ‘bhoomi pujan’ (groundbreaking ceremony) for Ram Temple to be constructed on the site of Babri mosque in Ayodhya, that was demolished by Hindu right-wing mobs in 1992.

While Giani Harpreet Singh who is SGPC-appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib and the jathedars of other Sikh temporal seats shrugged off the invitation to the ceremony, Giani Iqbal Singh alone made a presence on the occasion claiming to be incumbent Jathedar of the Takht Sahib, situated in Bihar.

At Ayodhya, he first attended bhog of Akhand Path organized by Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, the so-called Sikh wing of Hindu extremist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He did ‘ardas’ on the occasion in favour of Ram Temple in presence of other leaders of the wing. However, no prominent face from the Sikhs turned up on there.

Similarly, Iqbal Singh along with some handpicked turbaned men attended the main function addressed by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.

Pertinently, he made an objectionable remark on Gurus Sahiban stating that Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh were Descendents of Lord Rama and thus, Rama is the ancestor of Sikhs. For his remark and presence on the occasion, he is facing backlash from the Sikhs across the world.

Notably, Akal Takht Sahib’s edict asking the Sikhs to sever ties with the RSS and its so-called Sikh wing is still remaining intact. In spite of this, Iqbal Singh has been keeping the ties with RSS up. Besides, he remained in many other controversies. He was removed as Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib by Takht Patna Sahib Management Board on March 5, 2019, considering serious complaints against him. 

Meanwhile, the RSS’s wing appealed to the Sikh community to light oil lamps to celebrate this event as a historic moment.

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