Sikh gurus descendants of Lord Ram, says Takht Patna Sahib ex-jathedar

JUSTIFIES HIS REMARK CITING DASAM GRANTH; AKAL TAKHT ACTING JATHEDAR AND OTHER HEADS OF SIKH TEMPORAL SEATS SKIP CEREMONY DESPITE BEING INVITED

AMRITSAR : Takht Patna Sahib former jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh on Wednesday said the Sikh gurus were descendants of Lord Ram.

Addressing the mediapersons on the sidelines of the ‘bhoomi poojan’ ceremony for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the ex-jathedar said, “This event is important for the Sikhs because 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh was a descendent of Luv, the elder son of Maryada Purushotam Bhagwan Ram Chandar Jee. Similarly, Guru Nanak was a descendent of Kush, Ram’s younger son. Therefore, Lord Rama was our ancestors.”

The event was skipped by many prominent Sikh leaders, including Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and other heads of the Sikh temporal seats despite being invited.

He said, “I have been invited by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ceremony as representative of Takht

Patna Sahib. The temple being built up on the place will be splendor of India in the world.”

‘READ BACHITAR NATAK IN THE SCRIPTURE’

Later, when contacted after a row on social media over his remark, he said, “What I have said is mentioned on page 48 of Dasam Granth Sahib. Read Bachitar Natak in the scripture. You will find how the 10th Guru has described his ancestors in it in detail.”

Earlier, he performed ardas at Gurdwara Brahm Kund at Ayodhya during a bhog ceremony of Akhand Path organised by the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, the Sikh wing of right-wing outfit Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Singh, who has remained in controversies in the past, was removed as jathedar of one of the five Sikh temporal seats in March last year by the Takht Patna Sahib Management Board after complaints received by the Akal Takht against him.

Rashtriya Sikh Sangat general secretary Sandeep Singh said a Sikh delegation led by their national president Gurcharan Singh Gill reached the gurdwara for thanksgiving event. They also brought water of five sarovars (holy tanks) from Amritsar to Ayodhya for foundation of the temple, he added.

The BJP’S Sikh face RP Singh besides Gurbachan Singh Mokha, Baba Nirmal Singh Randhawa, Jasbir Singh and Baba Gurjit Singh was among those present on the occasion.