Patna Sahib: Hours after submitting his resignation as ‘Jathedar’ on Sunday (March 3), Giani Iqbal Singh took a U-turn hours later.
While Takht Patna Sahib Management Board president Avtar Singh Hit told that the resignation has been accepted and the process is on to appoint an officiating Jathedar in the board meeting scheduled tentatively for March 5, Giani Iqbal Singh claimed that he had withdrawn his resignation on the instance of the ‘Sangat’ of Patna Sahib.
Giani Iqbal Singh [File Photo]
Iqbal Singh said he had handed over his resignation and keys of the Takht to the general secretary of board Mahinder Pal Singh Dhillon, who refused to accept it. “Later, ‘sangat’ gathered over there and insisted me to continue. After appointing ‘panj pyaras’ (five beloved ones) among them, the general secretary handed me back the keys and asked me to continue as Jathedar of Sikh temporal seat.”
The general secretary has also posted an audio of his statement to confirm that Giani Iqbal Singh would continue his services as Takht Patna Sahib jathedar.
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It is notable that a large section of the active global Sikh community had rejected Giani Iqbal Singh along with other Giani Gurbachan Singh and other Jathedars back in September 2015 when they had granted so-called pardon to Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS) chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Despite being disgraced by the Sikhs, Giani Iqbal Singh continued to hold his post for past 3 years. But now with the change in management committee of Takht Patna Sahib there was shift in power dynamics and the new committee was in favour of removing Giani Iqbal Singh.
Moreover, SGPC appointed acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh had setup a committee to probe the allegations levelled against Giani Iqbal Singh. The committee was setup after Sikh activist Kumikkar Singh had filed a complaint with Giani Harpeet Singh.