Patna Sahib, Bihar (March 16, 2014): Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh declared former DSGMC president Paramjeet Singh Sarna, his brother Harvinder Singh Sarna, Patna Sahib committee president Dr R. S. Gandhi, among other office-bearers, and additional Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib Giani Partap Singh as ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct).
The announcement was made by Giani Iqbal Singh on March 15 after holding a meeting of the ‘Panj Pyaras’ at the Takht Sahib, in which head granthi Giani Rajinder Singh, senior vice-president Giani Baldev Singh, assistant granthi Giani Dileep Singh, and granthi Giani Gurdayal Singh participated.
After the meeting, they termed eight persons, including the Sarna brothers of Delhi, as ‘tankhaiya’ by holding them “guilty” for different charges against them.
Giani Iqbal Singh reportedly told The Tribune (TT), during a telephonic conversation that the committee president Dr Gandhi, junior vice-president Maharaj Singh Sonu and general secretary Charanjeet Singh had been declared ‘tankhaiya’ as they were not Amritdharis.
Similarly, he reportedly added, they had received a complaint against the Sarna brothers and former DSGMC leader Harbhajan Singh Walia for “violating” the edict of the Sikh Jathedars by inviting ex-communicated former Jathedar Prof Darshan Singh to their home.
He said Sarnas and Walia were also the members of Takth Sri Patna Sahib Management Committee but they had no right to remain so after violating the Akal Takht directive/ edict.
It is notable that on January 07 a clash had taken place at Takht Patna Sahib over the appointment of Giani Partap Singh as additional Jathedar. Giani Iqbal Singh and few others were manhandled during this clash.
After the incident Giani Iqbal Singh was put under suspension by the management committee; on the other hand Giani Iqbal Singh had filed police complaint against the members of the management committee.
Few days after the clash both sides had entered into a compromise and Giani Iqbal Singh’s suspension was cancelled and in return he had agreed to withdraw the police case. Once his suspension was cancelled Giani Iqbal Singh retracted his promise and did not withdraw the police case.
Meanwhile Akal Takht Jathedar Gaini Gubachan Singh formed a probe panel comprising SGPC memebrs and officials to inquire into the incident. A parallel probe committee was set up by Sant Samaj and the Damdami Taksal (Mehta faction). The issued was listed for discussion during various meetings of five Sikh Jathedars at Akal Takht Sahib but it was never decided by them.