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Akal Takht
Jathedar ratifies SGPC decision on Sikh calendar
Panthic organisations launch offensive against the move
WSN Bureau
AMRITSAR:
In a move that will open a Pandora’s box for the Sikh nation, Giani
Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib has ratified the
decision of the SGPC to dilute the Sikh almanac –the Nanakshahi
Calendar. What will come as a shock to the Sikh world is that the
provost of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs put his seal on
the suggestions of the SGPC at 2.10 pm today, without calling a meet
of the Jathedars of the five Takhts, as is the customary tradition
to do so, but arranged for a quorum by inviting four Granthis of
Darbar Sahib to endorse the decision. Darbar Sahib Head Granthi,
Jaswinder Singh, and four Granthis, Jagtar Singh, Giani Mal Singh,
Ravel Singh and Giani Sukhjinder Singh were part of the decision
process alongwith the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib.
Though this was
quiet expected from the turn of events in the last few weeks, that
the Jathedar too would do it with such alacrity to ditto the
decision flouting age-old norms has come in for a lot of criticism
from Panthic organisations who are gearing up for the next round of
confrontation with the SGPC on this issue.
Speaking to the
media in
Amritsar,
the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, hoped that the new
calendar, which is to come in effect from 1 Chet, that is March 14,
would become “a catalyst for unity amongst Sikhs by bringing
together the two Takhts who were till now not following the
Nanakshahi Calendar.”
As per the new
proposals, the dates of Sangrand and other historical dates will not
remain fixed. As per the new calendar, the birth and martyrdom day
of Guru Gobind Singh, death anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, Gurta
Gaddi Diwas of Guru Granth Sahib and Sangrand would be observed as
per the Bikrami calendar.
Enhancing on the
plea of unity amongst Sikhs, the Jathedar pointed out that now Takht
Patna Sahib and Takht Hazoor Sahib will also adhere to the
Nanakshahi calendar and so will the Sant Samaj led by Baba Harnam
Singh Dhumma.
Not only this,
Giani Gurbachan Singh went on to say that the SGPC could also affect
more changes in future.
The Institute of
Sikh Studies (IOSS) which played a key role in the consultations
before the acceptance of the calendar in 2003, the International
Sikh Confederation (ISC) and the Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha (KSGSS)
have expressed their deep disappointment over the decision of the
SGPC executive committee and in a joint statement said, “These
amendments have totally changed the concept and character of the
calendar,”
Paramjit Singh
Sarna-led Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has passed a
resolution saying that no changes in the Nanakshahi calendar would
be acceptable.
Harpal Singh Cheema,
the Secretary General of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) in a
release from Fatehgarh Sahib said that the changes made to the
Nanakshahi Calendar by the SGPC are unacceptable and that the Sikh
nation will continue to observe all religious and historic days as
per the Nanakshahi Calendar accepted and adopted by the Akal Takht
and general house of the SGPC in 2003.
Calling the
decision of the SGPC as that in the genre of the Ram Raiyas, the
party has said that the decision of Avtar Singh and Parkash Singh
Badal is treachery with the Khalsa Panth.
Touching a
historical note, they recalled how the SGPC had disowned the Gurmata
against Prof. Gurmukh Singh, after a hundred years and also disowned
the act of honuring General O’Dwyer with Saropa for the Jallianwala
Bagh massacre, and said that, similarly this decision of the SGPC
and Akal Takht will not go down well with the Panth and the Panth
will have to review it.
Sandeep Singh,
General Secretary of the Youth unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch
Pardhani), in a statement from Mohali appreciated the role of SGPC
general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, executive committee member
Karnail Singh Panjoli and Ravinder Kaur for their bold stand at the
SGPC meet yesterday when they resisted all efforts by the Badal Dal
to toe the party line to make changes in the Nanakshahi calendar.
Dal Khalsa leader H
S Dhami said the approval by Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal
Takht Sahib of the SGPC’s decision to tamper with the contents of
the Nanakshahi calendar will definitely lead the Sikh nation into
another round of internecine struggle with the whole community
vertically divided into two sides –those who are in favour of the
original calendar and those who have pervailed upon the SGPC and the
SAD leadership to bring radical changes in it.
Taking strong
exception over the manner Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of
Akal Takht Sahib has ratified the decision of the SGPC to dilute the
Nanakshahi Calendar without calling a meet of the Jathedars of the
five Takhts, the Dal Khalsa leader said that “We accept the
challenge posed by the SAD that runs the SGPC and we will take the
issue of Nanakshahi Calendar to the masses.
Shiromani Khalsa
Panchayat leader Rajinder Singh said that the decision of the SGPC
regarding Nanakshahi calendar is totally unacceptable and Sikhs must
resist it in whatever manner possible. He pointed out that many
Singh Sabha Gurdwaras in Chandigarh and Mohali have decided to
oppose this latest move of the SGPC.
Sri Guru Singh
Sabha Mumbai has also decided to move and adopt a resolution at the
Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab celebrations denouncing the SGPC step.
In a statement from
Ludhiana,
the Sikh Students Federation general secretary has questioned the
authority of the executive committee of SGPC to alter the Nanalshahi
Calendar that was adopted by its’ General House. Moreover the term
of current general house has already expired and it lacks the
authority to take vital decisions.
“Though Nankshahi
Calendar adopted by SGPC but it has been accepted by Sikhs living
throughout the world, so now it can not be altered without making a
universal consensus among Sikhs.” said Parmjeet Singh Gazi,
President of SSF. “The Sikh Nation should disapprove the amendments
made by the Badal lobby. All Panthic organization should take up
the responsibility and call a general gathering of Sikhs to find a
solution as per Sikh traditions.” he added.
Karan Singh, president of Sikh Foundation, Switzerland, called it an
illogical decision and said that a meet of Sikhs organization would
soon be held to chalk out further course of action in this regards.
04
January 2010
04
January 2010
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