Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: Various Sikh bodies of Jammu have demanded immediate removal of Jathedar Iqbal Singh of Takht Sri Patna Sahib in the wake of serious allegations leveled against him by his second wife.
The demand was made during a joint press conference, here today, by representatives of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), International Sikh Federation, Sikh Students Federation, Sikh Intellectuals Circle J&K, Sikh Future in J&K, Sikh Youth of J&K, J&K Sikh Progressive Front and others.
They appealed Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and Board of Members to immediately remove Iqbal Singh as Jathedar and also excommunicate him the Panth. Serious allegations have been leveled against him by his second wife Baljeet Kour of Jammu as well as entire Sikh Panth and any leniency at this juncture will deeply harm the image of Khalsa Panth and credibility of all other Jathedars of our glorious institution,” they said.
Avtar Singh Khalsa, convener of Sikh Action Committee, said that entire Sikh Sangat of Akali Kour Singh Nagar and Jammu was witness to the fact that second marriage of Jathedar Iqbal Singh was solemnized at Gurdwara Sahib of Akali Kour Singh Nagar Jammu with said Bibi Baljeet Kour. “Unfortunately this Jathedar is misleading the entire Sikh community about the marriage and the most alarming thing for the entire Khalsa Panth is deep connection and patronage of various anti-Sikh forces, who are hell bent to weaken the Sikh institutions and separate entity of Khalsa Panth,” he said.
Alleging that this Jathedar has not only spoiled the life of Jammu’s daughter and misused his authority but also badly hurt the image of Sikh institutions worldwide, Avtar Singh Khalsa announced that Sikhs of J&K have decided to totally boycott this controversial Jathedar. “We appeal the entire Khalsa Panth to voice their concern and lodge strong protest against Jathedar Iqbal Singh and we also feel that a high level probe committee, comprising of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar and representatives of all the Panthic organizations should be immediately formed to probe bungling by Iqbal Singh as Jathedar,” he added.
Among those, who were present in the press conference, included Jathedar Mohinder Singh, S Surjit Singh, S Manmohan Singh, S Balwant Singh Chatha, S Amarjit Singh Bablu, S Suchwant Singh, S Narinder Singh Khalsa, S Tej Pal Singh, S Babu Singh and others.
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