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Sikh missionaries communists of Panth: Giani Iqbal Singh
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 13
Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar, Patna Sahib, today dubbed Sikh missionaries as “communists of the Sikh Panth”.
Again challenging the supremacy of Akal Takht, Giani Iqbal Singh alleged that the English word “supreme,” used by Sikh missionaries for Akal Takht, was the root-cause of the current problem faced by the Panth. He said as a matter of fact no Sikh institute could claim itself being “supreme temporal authority” because Guru Granth Sahib is supreme for the Sikh community.
Taking a strong view, Prof Suba Singh, principal, Sikh Missionary College, said Giani Iqbal Singh should consult some psychiatrist. He said the Sikh missionaries and missionary colleges had done great service to the Sikh Panth and Jathedar Iqbal Singh had no right to use derogatory words for them.
However, the Jathedar, Patna Sahib, alleged that the Sikh missionaries had been instrumental in dividing the Sikh community due to their “radical approach”. He said as per the Sikh traditions, all five Takhts were equal.
On the other hand, Prof Suba Singh said as per Sikh history, Akal Takht had been the target of Mughals and other invaders as they wanted to smash the supreme temporal authority of the Sikhs. No other Takht had faced such attacks, he said.
He has also said edict once issued from Takht Patna Sahib, including rejection of Nanakshahi calendar, could not be withdrawn. He, however, added that the five Sikh high priests could discuss the matter relating to the Sikh maryada, Nanakshahi calendar in the forthcoming meeting at Akal Takht next week.
To yet another question, the Jathedar said the meeting regarding summoning of Mohinder Singh Romana, president, Takht Patna Sahib Management Committee, was still pending because he (Romana) had sought adjournment of the meeting of Sikh clergy on health grounds. He said Romana in his capacity as president had no right to place Jathedar under suspension.
Meanwhile, Giani Iqbal Singh said Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, would be visiting Takht Patna Sahib to pay obeisance on February 16 .
Giani Iqbal Singh today gave a “clean chit” to Diljit Singh Bedi, a former assistant secretary, SGPC. He said he had learnt that the “objectionable pictures” of Bedi, published in a section of the press, was with his second wife. He saidthere was no harm in keeping a “second wife” without giving divorce to the first wife.
