AMRITSAR: The amendments to the Nanakshahi Calendar approved by the executive committee of the SGPC were formally announced by Giani Gurbachan Singh, jathedar of Akal Takht on Monday, making these official and binding on every Sikh.
Gurbachan Singh announced on Monday that the birth and martyrdom day of Guru Gobind Singh, death anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, coronation (Gurta Gaddi Diwas) of Guru Granth Sahib and “sangrand” (beginning of every month) would be observed as per the traditional (Bikrami) calendar.
Surprisingly, the announcement was made in absence of high priests of the other four Takhts. To complete the quorum four priests of the Golden Temple were included by the jathedar. Justifying the step, he said there was no need of the other high priests of Takhts for making this announcement from the Akal Takht office.
“The changes will, however, be applicable after printing of the new Nanakshahi Calendar in March. All Sikh religious days will be observed as per the pre-scheduled programme till the printing of the new calendar,” Gurbachan Singh stated.
The jathedar of Akal Takht claimed that the amendments had been made on the recommendations of a two-member team comprising SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and chief of Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj Harnam Singh Khalsa on the suggestion of an 11-member committee.
“The calendar will not lose its significance after the changes, rather it will help to unite the Panth and preserve its distinctiveness,” he maintained.
Meanwhile Karan Singh, president of Sikh Foundation, Switzerland, told TOI over phone that this was an arbitrary decision taken by the Sikh clergy on the insistence of the SAD to take political mileage in the ensuing SGPC elections. He further said that various Sikhs organizations outside India would soon hold a meeting to deliberate on the issue that had once again put Sikhs identity in danger.
