FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makkar said that a force is behind Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, who is challenging the authority of Akal Takht Sahib.

Talking to media persons at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Makkar said that he was surprised at the behavior of Giani Iqbal Singh, who had attended several meetings of Akal Takht Sahib and participated in various functions under the aegis of Akal Takht is now opposing the authority of the high temporal seat of Sikhs. When asked , "Is RSS is behind it", Makkar refused to comment on it.

Makkar maintained that SGPC will continue Nanakshahi Calendar and if Giani Iqbal Singh wants any change, the SGPC may discuss it with scholars and if the suggestions are right then can made certain amendment in it. When asked about the possibility of removal of Giani Iqbal Singh, Makkar said that he had no authority to remove him.

He said that Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna is deliberately the election of the committee, which was due on February 8.

He said that now Sarna wants two year term for the president post so he is pressuring the union government but when SGPC had requested the union government long time back to make amendment and fix the term over 2 years, the government was mum.

He said that Directorate of SGPC had conducted test for appointing teachers in a transparent manner.

Earlier, Makkar presided over budget meeting of BBSBEC, Fatehgarh Sahib and announced to start MBA and MCA course in the college. Senior Akali leaders B.S. Bhunder, Didar Singh Bhatti, Harmail Singh Tohra, Amarinder Singh Libra, educationalists Dr Gurmohan Singh Walia, Dr M.S. Grewal also expressed their views.