Revive Nanakshahi calendar: Sikh bodies

Amritsar, Punjab: The Sikh clergy’s decision to change the date for celebrating Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary from December 28 to January 7 has revived the Nanakshahi calendar row. Some organisations have questioned the move while others have renewed the demand for reverting to the original Nanakshahi calendar.

Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, SGPC member, said it was time that the controversy was resolved once and for all. “The community must decide whether it wants to follow the Bikrami calendar or the original Nanakshahi calendar. You cannot hold deliberations every year to decide Gurpurb dates,” she said.

Bibi Kiranjot said the two-member panel comprising SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa had ignored technical aspects while amending the original Nanakshahi calendar.

Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said the matter should be reconsidered. He said if there were any shortcomings in the original Nanakshahi calendar, these should be removed with the help of Sikh intellectuals.

Harvinder Singh Sarna, SAD (Delhi) general secretary, said the Nanakshahi calendar came into being after intense deliberations and there was no clash of Gurpurb dates. He accused the Sikh clergy of double speak. “ When my brother Paramjit Singh Sarna used to celebrate Gurpurbs as per the original calendar, he was dubbed anti-Panthic. Where does the clergy stand now,” he asked.

American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) coordinator Pritpal Singh said the implementation of the original calendar could end the confusion. He said Akal Takht must convene a meeting of Sikh organisations to resolve the issue.

DSGMC to celebrate Gurpurb on Dec 28

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjeet Singh GK said though there were many discrepancies, Akal Takht was supreme and its decision should be accepted by all. He, however, said the DSGMC would celebrate Gurpurb on December 28 as it had already reserved the Lakhi Shah Vanjara Hall for the event.

Manjeet Singh GK

The community must decide whether it wants to follow the Bikrami calendar or the original Nanakshahi calendar.
Bibi Kiranjot Kaur,
SGPC MEMBER

if there are any shortcomings in the original Nanakshahi calendar, these should be removed in consultation with Sikh intellectuals.
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti,

FORMER JATHEDAR OF AKAL TAKHT

The original Nanakshahi calendar came into being after intense deliberations and there was no clash of Gurpurb dates.

Harvinder Singh Sarna,
SAD (DELHI) GENERAL SECRETARY

Source:  The Tribune