Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, April 15
An unsavoury incident took place at Sri Damdama Sahib Thatha Purana gurdwara in Sultanpur Lodhi when the turban of former Jathedar of Takht Sri Patna Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh got tossed during an attack by locals.
The incident occurred during the cremation of Sant Gurcharan Singh, who was heading the gurdwara. He passed away after a prolonged illness.
As Giani Iqbal Singh was performing ardas, he announced the name of his aide Jaspal Singh as the next head of the gurdwara. At this, villagers started raising slogans and got agitated, taking a strong objection to the new appointment.
In the melee that ensued in the presence of devotees from around 10 villages, who had gathered there, the turban of Giani Iqbal Singh was tossed.
His gunman took him to a room and bolted it from inside. Police force had to be called in to pacify the agitating devotees, who sought an apology from the former Jathedar.
Giani Iqbal Singh tendered a written apology in which he said he would not interfere in the affairs of the gurdwara. He was later led away in a car.
Kapurthala SP Jagjit S Saroya said: “No police complaint has been lodged. Both sides resolved the issue amicably. Our teams escorted the jathedar out of the gurdwara safely.”
Scuffle over naming of granthi
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