Thu Dec 16 2010: The Sikh Clergy was today divided as the Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, Bhai Iqbal Singh, boycotted the high priests meeting at the Akal Takht owing to ‘differences’ with other Jathedars on the issue of ‘Raagmala’.
He was in Punjab but kept his contact numbers off and did not response to calls from the Takht Secretariat. A Granthi of the Golden Temple, Sukhjinder Singh, was then called to complete the quorum of the meeting, headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Bhai Iqbal Singh has had differences with the other Jathedars, including Giani Gurbachan Singh, in the past too. He had been following the line that Raagmala is part of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh’s holy scripture and should be read daily as part of the Gurbani. The Akal Takht and a major section of Sikhs believe that it is not part of the Granth and was incorporated later into the holy book. The Takht is yet to take any final decision on the matter
Though Bhai Iqbal Singh could not be reached for comments, his staff members at Patna told The Indian Express that he had left for Amritsar and was upset over certain issues with the other Jathedars. They, however, refused to give further details. Meanwhile, Giani Gurbachan Singh said that it is a minor issue and should not be given any importance. “We waited for him but the Jathedar did not arrive for the meeting. We are not aware why. We had important issues in hand which were discussed at the meeting”, said the Jathedar of the Akal Takht after the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Sikh high priests issued a directive to all political parties today to restrain from mud-slinging and issuing unnecessary statements during the political gathering on the eve of centenary celebrations of Sahibzadas (martyr sons of Guru Gobind Singh) at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 26. He said that political parties should confine their speeches to religious issues as it was a pious occasion and should not resort to mud-slinging.
On the issue of 1984 riot victims’ lawyer H S Phoolka’s complaints against Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Paramjit Singh Sarna, the Jathedars said that the Committee formed to look into the matter had not finalized its report. “There need to be more versions taken. We will consider the report at the next meeting,” said the Akal Takht Jathedar. They also praised the efforts being made at the international level by Sikh bodies, including Sikhs for Justice, to get the 1984 riots recognized as ‘genocide’.
The Sikh clergy also ordered that Gurbani should not be used for the commercial purpose and on hoardings and bill boards meant to sell the commercial products.