Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones of Guru) on Friday excommunicated Giani Ranjit Singh from Panth for allegedly taking charge forcibly as the jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib (Bihar) in violation of the maryada (Sikh code of conduct) and non-compliance of their hukamnama (decree).
Six days after the managing committee of one of the five Sikh temporal seats reinstated his services amid the opposition, the Panj Pyaras issued fresh hukamnama and declared the managing committee desecrated them and Giani Ranjit Singh took charge with the help of security men provided by the government. “Sangat is upset over what happened at the Takht Sahib. Allegations against him (Giani Ranjit Singh) still stand. Many complaints have reached the Takht Sahib against him. So, he is excommunicated from Panth,” pronounced Panj Pyare.
They asked the community to sever all kind ties with Ranjit Singh, besides declaring managing committee General Secretary Inderjit Singh ‘tankhaya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for desecrating the hukamnama and ensuring order of his reinstatement. In a letter, Inderjit Singh claimed that two members of Panj Pyaras expressed disagreement with the hukamnama of termination of the services.
Giani Ranjit Singh’s services were terminated in view of the corruption charges being faced by him and the controversies courted by him during his tenure. Panj Pyaras of the Takht also passed a resolution against him and ensured his termination.
{{/usCountry}}Giani Ranjit Singh’s services were terminated in view of the corruption charges being faced by him and the controversies courted by him during his tenure. Panj Pyaras of the Takht also passed a resolution against him and ensured his termination.
{{/usCountry}}It is being alleged by the SIkh segments that he resumed the services forcibly with the support of the BJP-led Union Government. He was among the Sikh delegation who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. After his termination, he approached Punjab based senior BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal.
After removal of controversial jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, he was appointed as jathedar of one of the five Sikh temporal seats in September 2019. However, Giani Ranjit Singh’s tenure also remained controversial. He first stirred row by allegedly altering maryada of the Takht.