Former Patna Sahib Jathedar seeks action against Giani Raghbir Singh

AMRITSAR: Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar-e-Maskeen has accused former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh of taking matters concerning the Sikh paths supreme temporal authority, the Akal Takht, to the jurisdiction of the civil administration and secular institutions rather than resolving them within the Sikh religious framework and has appealed to the officiating Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to summon Giani Raghbir Singh to the Akal Takht, tie him to the beri tree and award him religious punishment (tankhah) and subsequently excommunicate him from the Sikh Panth.He said it has come his notice that former Jathedar of Akal Takht has reportedly submitted proceedings conducted at Akal Takht as evidence before the Punjab Police. “If true, this constitutes a grave violation of the traditions, maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct) sanctity, and authority of Akal Takht”, said he.He said if Giani Raghbir Singh had any personal dispute with Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, he could have persuaded it in his individual capacity.

“Incorporating the proceedings of Akal Takht into police records and offering to testify regarding them before police administration is deeply unfortunate and highly condemnable”, said he.He said, he has written a letter to the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj to take immediate cognisance of this matter. “Such conduct must be addressed firmly to reaffirm that the proceedings of Akal Takht cannot be incorporated into police records or used as evidence in legal proceedings. Doing so is highly objectionable and amounts to a direct challenge to the sanctity, independence, and authority of Akal Takht —something the Khalsa Panth cannot accept”, he said.He said he has appealed to Giani Gargajj to summon Giani Raghbir Singh at Akal Takht, tie him with the beri tree and pronounce religious atonement and excommunicate him from the Sikh pantheon.