IHRO urge Akal Takht's action against Jathedar Iqbal Singh

The International Human Rights Organization (IHRO), while expressing surprise over the matter of publishing a "blasphemous" book '''Sikh History' by the SGPC, being taken into his hands by Takht Sri Patna Sahib jathedar Iqbal Singh, submitted a complaint to Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti to take stern action aganist him as he had made utterances against the supremacy of Akal Takht, Nanak Shahi Calender and Panthak Maryada.

IHRO chairperson D S Gill and general secretary M S Grewal, in a statement, said, "Sikh Affairs wing of the IHRO took strong exception to Iqbal Singh's latest utterances against Akal Takht, Nanak Shahi Calender and the Panthak Maryada and its Coordinator Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba today filed a complaint in person before Akal Takht to that effort."

In the complaint, Lamba, editor 'Sant Sipahi', categorically emphasized that the action of Jathedar Iqbal Singh in trying to make changes in the Sikh Rahit Maryada unilaterally and denying the supremacy of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib is nothing but most irresponsible and reprehensible act and it ought not be ignored, added Gill.

He further reminded that though Takht Sri Patna Sahib is managed under the Hindu Religious Endowment Act, still the Rules and Regulations or the Constitution of Takht Sri Patna Sahib makes it abundantly clear that in the religious matters the authority of  Akal Takht Sahib shall be final and binding.

It is not the first time that Iqbal Singh has made such utterances and tried to create confusion in the Panthik circles, he had earlier generated controversy by writing absolutely putrid book on meditation in which he challenged the authority of Akal Takht, and at that time too, he was ignored by Akal Takht and that had emboldened him, added the IHRO.

And now also taking the advantage of the weaknesses, inactions and failures of the Akal Takht jathedar in not taking up the crucial matters facing the Panth, Jathedar Iqbal Singh has taken up the matter of SGPC publication, thus abusing the authority and prerogative of Akal Takht, said the IHRO.

Thus, the IHRO has urged Akal Takht jathedar that in order to maintain the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the sanctity of the Sikh Rahit Maryada and the Nanak Shahi Calender, a stern action against the erring jathedar, Iqbal Singh, should be taken immediately according to Sikh tenet.

According to Lamba, Jathedar Vedanti assured him that the required action would be taken with in few days.