AMRITSAR: Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar-e-Maskeen has leveled serious accusations against former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. He alleged that Giani Raghbir Singh took matters concerning the Sikh faith's supreme temporal authority, the Akal Takht, to the civil administration and secular institutions instead of resolving them within the Sikh religious framework.
Appeal to Officiating Jathedar
Giani Ranjit Singh has appealed to the officiating Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to summon Giani Raghbir Singh to the Akal Takht. He urged that Giani Raghbir Singh be tied to the beri tree and awarded religious punishment (tankhah), and subsequently excommunicated from the Sikh Panth.
Allegations of Violating Traditions
According to Giani Ranjit Singh, it has come to his notice that the former Jathedar of Akal Takht reportedly submitted proceedings conducted at Akal Takht as evidence before the Punjab Police. He stated, "If true, this constitutes a grave violation of the traditions, maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct) sanctity, and authority of Akal Takht."
Personal Dispute with Sukhbir Singh Badal
Giani Ranjit Singh remarked that if Giani Raghbir Singh had any personal dispute with Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, he could have pursued it in his individual capacity. He added, "Incorporating the proceedings of Akal Takht into police records and offering to testify regarding them before police administration is deeply unfortunate and highly condemnable."
Letter to Officiating Jathedar
He confirmed that he has written a letter to Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, urging immediate cognizance of this matter. He emphasized, "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."
Demand for Religious Punishment
Giani Ranjit Singh has appealed to Giani Gargaj to summon Giani Raghbir Singh at Akal Takht, tie him to the beri tree, pronounce religious atonement, and excommunicate him from the Sikh pantheon.
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About the Author: Yudhvir Rana has been working with The Times of India since 2000, reporting on a wide range of subjects including Sikh religious and political affairs, general political and analytical stories, terrorism, issues related to the environment and climate, cross-border affairs, Indo-Pak border events, NRI issues, spot events, etc. from Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and even Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh. Over the years, he has been delivering in-depth stories with regional insight.
