Sri Amritsar Sahib - Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh today asserted that only the Akal Takht had the sole authority to issue hukamnamas over issues relating to the Sikh community in general and the regional takhts could issue edicts only on regional issues.

Jathedar Gurbachan Singh stated this in response to reporters' queries about the validity of a hukamnama issued by Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Iqbal Singh over mandatory recitation of 'Ragmala' wherever Guru Granth Sahib was installed.

Rejecting the 'Ragmala' hukumnama by Jathedar Iqbal Singh, the Akal Takht Jathedar said this issue related to the Sikh community in general and was not a regional issue.

Therefore the Patna Sahib Jathedar had no jurisdiction over the matter, he added.

He advised Jathedar Iqbal Singh to refrain from issuing such hukumnamas in future as it created confusion among the minds of the Sikhs in general.


Panthic Rahit Maryada

Taking account of the Ragmala controversy, the first edition of the Sikh Rahit Maryada ratified at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in 1936 stated that bhog of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s paatth should be perfomed after Mundavani.  

(Extract from the original edition of the 1936 Sikh Rahit Maryada)

However, in 1945 amendments were made by the Dharmic Salahkar Committee of the SGPC, that stated that bhog should be performed at “Mundavani or after Ragmala, according to local practice.”  The concessions for allowing the reading of Ragmala were made in the spirit of Panthic harmony.

(Extract from the 1945 Sikh Rahit Maryada, accomodating the rcitation of Ragmala)

It is observed that Giani Iqbal Singh’s latest edict directly challenges the accepted Panthic maryada of performing bhog according to the local norm, and threatens to rake up disharmony within the Panth.

Iqbal Singh Edict labels Ramgala non-readers as great sinners and manmukh

In addition to making Ramgala obligatory, Giani Iqbal Singh’s edict also labeled those who do not recite it as “maha-paapi” (great sinners) and manmukhs.

In a telephone conversation with a Panthic.org correspondent Giani Iqbal Singh was asked whether he considered great Gurmukhs such as Maha-Kavi Santokh Singh, Giani Gian Singh,  Giani Ditt Singh, Prof. Gurmukh Singh (founders of Singh Sabha Movement),  Sant Teja Singh Manstuana, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, Bhai Randhir Singh Ji Narangwal, Prof. Sahib Singh,  Bhai Randhir Singh Ji  Research Scholar, Dr. Trilochan Singh,  Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh, Shaheed Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar, Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar and countless others who did not recite Ragmala as ‘maha-pappi’ or ‘manmukh’ ? 

The correspondent also asked if the Jathedar was ready to face the backlash from such a controversial edict?

Giani Iqbal Singh refused to answer our correspondent’s queries, and then suddenly disconnected the phone line.  Despite repeated efforts; Panthic.org has been unsuccessful in setting up another interview with Giani Iqbal Singh.

Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh denied any connection to Giani Iqbal Singh's 'edict' and has refused to accept its validity. 

Giani Iqbal Singh has a history of courting controvercy, and has been at loggerheads with other Takht Jathedars for unilaterally sidestepping other Takhts and claiming superiority over Sri Akal Takht Sahib.  Not too long ago, Former Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh barred  Iqbal Singh from meetings held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib for many months.

In 2008, Giani Iqbal Singh also issued a revised 'Sikh Rahit Maryada' from Patna Sahib, but it also fell on deaf ears, and was never formally recognized or implemented by any Sikh organization.

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