Religious News

Nanakshahi Calendar issue likely to surface again – Ahead of Shaheedi Gurpurab, all eyes on Pakistan gurdwara committee

May 13, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

Amritsar, Punjab (May 13, 2014): Nanakshahi Calendar signifying distinct Sikh identity and ideology was adopted by the Akal Takht Sahib and the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) in 2003. Except few Sikh factions of Sant Samaj, the global Sikh community had adoped this calendar.

But the calendar was distorted/ amended in 2010 by the SGPC in understanding with the Sant Samaj. This led to confusion among the Sikh masses as now their are two versions of the Nanakshahi Calendar. Various Sikh diaspora bodies and the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee are following the un-amended version of Nanakshahi Calendar whereas SGPC and DSGMC are following the amended version. On the other hand Sant Samaj is calling for roll back of the Nankshahi calendar and revert back to Bikrami Calendar.

Recently the SGPC raised objections over PSGPC following the original version of Nanakshahi Calendar. Till date, the PSGPC has been sticking to the original Nanakshahi Calendar, which has resulted in the denial of Pakistani visas to Sikh pilgrims from India on various occasions in the past.

With the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Sahib Ji falling next month, it’s to be seen whether or not the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) will start following the amended Nanakshahi Calendar to observe Gurpurabs in Pakistani gurdwaras.

Now, there are reports that the SGPC and the DSGMC (Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee) are persuading the PSGPC to switch over to the amended calendar, while some Sikh organisations in the US and Canada are asking it to maintain its stand.

As per the amended calendar, the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev will be observed on June 1, while it falls on June 16 according to the original calendar.

DSGMC president Manjeet Singh GK reportedly told The Tribune (TT) that a DSGMC delegation had already left for Pakistan to hold talks with the PSGPC and the Pakistan government regarding Sikh issues. He said the issue of Nanakshahi Calendar figured among their priorities, though the delegation will take up issues such as Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and maintenance of historic Sikh shrines in Pakistan. The delegation is being led by former DSGMC president Avtar Singh Hit.

Talking to the media before crossing over to Pakistan through Attari border on Sunday (May 11), Avtar Singh Hit reportedly said there were instances in the past when Gurpurabs were observed in Pakistan as per the original Nanakshahi Calendar, while the Sikhs in India were following the amended calendar which was approved by Akal Takht. “We will take up the matter with the PSGPC and try to convince them to follow the amended calendar,” he said.

Another delegation member Kuldeep Singh Bhogal said they would urge the Pakistan government to facilitate one-year visas for granthis and raagis to better manage the affairs of the historic Sikh shrines in Pakistan.

On the other hand, talking on phone from Pakistan, former PSGPC president Bishen Singh said they were yet to take a final call on observing the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev in Pakistan in June. He rejected reports regarding various Sikh organisations pulling them in different directions. “We have full authority to take a decision regarding the Gurpurab and nobody can influence our decision. The meeting is an annual feature that we hold before observing any event,” he added.

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Related Topics: DSGMC, Nanakshahi Calendar, SGPC, Sikhs in Pakistan

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