Sikh diaspora urge Akal Takht to implement original Nanakshahi Calendar
Category: Current Issues
AMRITSAR: The Sikh devotees assembled at Lahore’s Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Pakistan to observe the Martyrdom Day of fifth Sikh Master, Guru Arjun Dev, today urged Jathedar Akal Takht to implement the original Nanakshahi Calendar (separate Sikh calendar), released by the Sikhs’s highest temporal seat in 2003.
Gathering of Sikhs devotees said there had been lot of confusion relating the gurpurabs, martyrdom days and other important dates due to the certain amendments made by Shiormani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the original calendar, without seeking the consensus within the community.
In release issued from Lahore in Pakistan by American Gurdwara Pharbandhak Committee (AGPC) Coordinator Dr. Pritpal Singh stated that a large number of Sikhs had gathered from all over the world to observe the martyrdom day of the Guru at Gudwara Shaheed Asthan inside Gurdwara Dera Sahib.
The arrangements were made by Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and AGPC was prominent amongst the Sikh world bodies that converged for the event.
AGPC Coordinator Dr. Pritpal Singh said that they collectively requested Akal Takht to implement the original Nanakshahi Calendar-2003 by following the due process.
He urged the Akal Takht to implement the original Calendar and if there are any amendments to be made, these should be after the consultations of the Sikh leaders around the world and creator of the Calendar, Pal Singh Purewal.
He said there were huge number of devotees who attended the martyrdom days prayers today. It is pertinent to mention that it was on this day in 1606 that Guru Arjun Dev attained martyrdom after his arrest and torture in the hands of the then Mughal rulers.
The Gurdwara was raised at this place on the bank of river Ravi in front of Lahore Fort, where Guru attained martyrdom and since then the martyrdom day is observed here at this place and at Tarn Taran in Punjab India.
Those present during the martyrdom day included UK based Kar Sewa Committee representative Avtar Singh Sanghera, Chanan Singh, head of PSGPC Sham Singh, former head of PSGPC Bishan Singh and its member Swaran Singh. Swaran Singh said at the occasion that they wanted to host an assembly of Sikh from around the world in Pakistan so that they can discuss the implementation of the original Nanakshahi Calendar.
It may be added here that this time SGPC (Shriomani Gurdwara Pharbandhak Committee) the management committee of Golden Temple in Amritsar was not allowed by the Pakistan High Commisson to send the group of Sikh devotees to Pakistan since SGPC has observed the martyrdom day of fifth Sikh master Guru Arjan Dev on May 25 due to the amendments brought in the Nanak Shahi Calendar followed by the permission of Jathedar Akal Takht (the highest Sikh Temporal Seat) Gyani Gurbachan Singh.
Before brining amendments in the calendar the martyrdom day was scheduled for June 16.
PSGPC and SGPC have been at loggerheads with regard to date to observe the martyrdom day of fifth Sikh master, since SGPC while adopting tough posture couldn’t sent the group of Sikh devotees to Pakistan like every year.
PSGPC was asking SGPC to send the group of Sikh devotees according the program of June 16 as planned by PSGPC, whereas SGPC was forcing PSGPC to observe the day on May 25.
