Akal Takht puts final seal on changes in Nanakshahi calendar

He said all the changes will come into effect immediately after the printing of the new calendar by the SGPC. The announcement was made in the absence of the other four jathedars and the granthis were called to complete the quorum for holding a Sikh clergy meet.

Giani Gurbachan Singh justified the changes saying these would bring about unity in the community. SGPC head Avtar Singh Makkar had echoed the sentiments on Sunday. “Some takhts and the Sant Samaj were opposed to the calendar and these changes will help satisfy them,” the jathedar said.

Meanwhile,the Dal Khalsa and the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC),in separate press statements,took exception to the manner in which the jathedar ratified the decision of the SGPC to “dilute” the Nanakshahi calendar without calling a meet of all five jathedars. DSGMC head Paramjit Singh Sarna said SGPC executive had no legal right to affect changes as the matter should have gone to the general house of the SGPC. Rejecting the changes,he also accused CM Parkash Singh Badal for acting on the directions of “certain saffron forces”.

The Institute of Sikh Studies,the International Sikh Confederation and the Kendri Guru Singh Sabha,Chandigarh,also expressed “disappointment” over the decision of the SGPC executive committee to modify the calendar. “Modifications approved by the SGPC executive committee have totally changed the character of the calendar,” said Pritam Singh,president,Institute of Sikh Studies.

“The Nanakshahi calendar had been framed after thorough research and deliberations in which a large segment of Sikhs from across the globe took part. Learned persons,irrespective of their religious beliefs,were consulted in framing the final draft of the calendar. This was thoughtfully studied and unanimously approved by the general body of the SGPC and the Jathedars before it was implemented. Making major modifications without consulting all sections of the Sikh Panth is totally unjustified,” he added. “ We earnestly appeal to our Jathedars not to issue any edict in this regard and thereby preserve the unity of the Sikh religion until wider consultations are instituted,“ said Baljit Kaur,secretary,Kendri Guru Singh Sabha,Chandigarh .

The Sant Samaj,meanwhile,gathered in Sarmastpur Gurdwara near Jalandhar and appreciated the changes made in the calendar and also thanked the SGPC and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal for their efforts to pursue the required changes. Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj chief Harnam Singh Dhumma said the remaining issues related to the religion should also be sorted out through discussions.