Dear readers
Would like to your hear views on the following questions.
New Report:
Nanakshahi Calendar Controversy
Changes will Unite Sikhs, says Akal Takht Jathedar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 4
Defending the controversial approval of changes in the Nanakshahi
calendar by the SGPC executive, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani
Gurbachan Singh, has expressed the hope that the changed calendar
will work as a "catalyst for unity among the Sikhs. These changes
will be implemented from March 14, he added.
The direct fallout of the changes in the hitherto widely accepted
calendar will be that from March 14 onwards, the dates of important
days will hardly remain fixed as was the case in the widely accepted
Nanakshahi calendar, based on the solar system and calculations.
A large number of Sikh bodies were opposing the changes in the
calendar on the plea that these changes would make the calendar
resemble the Bikrami calendar and that the Nanakshahi calendar in its
original form was a symbol of the separate Sikh identity. They were
also pleading that the changes were being effected under a conspiracy
and without adoption of a proper laid-down procedure and under
pressure of the orthodox Sikh organisations particularly the Damdami Taksal.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, who was flanked by the Head Granthi, Jaswinder
Singh, and four Granthis, Jagtar Singh, Giani Mal Singh, Ravel Singh
and Giani Sukhjinder Singh, said the changed Nanakshahi calendar
would bring about unity among the Sikhs and various sects that were
divided over the calendar issue.
"The changed calendar will put an end to the prevailing confusion
among Sikhs over the observation of important Sikh events in the
light of the Nanakshahi calendar. For example, Takht Patna Sahib and
Takht Hazoor Sahib were not adhering to the Nanakshahi calendar,
which was also being opposed by the Sant Samaj. But now there will be
no confusion particularly after the recommendation of changes by the
two- member panel comprising the SGPC chief, Avatar Singh, and the
Damdami Taksal chief, Harnam Singh, and their approval by the SGPC
executive," said Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Giani Gurbachan Singh said it was not the end of changes as more
changes could be effected in the calendar in future.
As per the Nanakshahi calendar, which was approved by the SGPC and
Akal Takht and was implemented in 2003, the birth anniversary of Guru
Gobind Singh was celebrated on January 5, his martyrdom day was
observed on October 21 and the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev was
observed on June 16. Almost all dates were fixed in the existing
Nanakshahi calendar, but it may not be so in the case of a changed
Nanakshahi calendar.
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab
Would like to your hear views on the following questions.
- What are the changes we are talking about?
- Akal Takht Jathedar says the act done to appease so called Sant Samaj?
- Since the changes were made to appease only one faction of so called Sikhs i.e. Sant Samaj, then How changing the Nanakshahi Calendar going to unite the Sikh Panth, which seems to be clearly divided?
New Report:
Nanakshahi Calendar Controversy
Changes will Unite Sikhs, says Akal Takht Jathedar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 4
Defending the controversial approval of changes in the Nanakshahi
calendar by the SGPC executive, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani
Gurbachan Singh, has expressed the hope that the changed calendar
will work as a "catalyst for unity among the Sikhs. These changes
will be implemented from March 14, he added.
The direct fallout of the changes in the hitherto widely accepted
calendar will be that from March 14 onwards, the dates of important
days will hardly remain fixed as was the case in the widely accepted
Nanakshahi calendar, based on the solar system and calculations.
A large number of Sikh bodies were opposing the changes in the
calendar on the plea that these changes would make the calendar
resemble the Bikrami calendar and that the Nanakshahi calendar in its
original form was a symbol of the separate Sikh identity. They were
also pleading that the changes were being effected under a conspiracy
and without adoption of a proper laid-down procedure and under
pressure of the orthodox Sikh organisations particularly the Damdami Taksal.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, who was flanked by the Head Granthi, Jaswinder
Singh, and four Granthis, Jagtar Singh, Giani Mal Singh, Ravel Singh
and Giani Sukhjinder Singh, said the changed Nanakshahi calendar
would bring about unity among the Sikhs and various sects that were
divided over the calendar issue.
"The changed calendar will put an end to the prevailing confusion
among Sikhs over the observation of important Sikh events in the
light of the Nanakshahi calendar. For example, Takht Patna Sahib and
Takht Hazoor Sahib were not adhering to the Nanakshahi calendar,
which was also being opposed by the Sant Samaj. But now there will be
no confusion particularly after the recommendation of changes by the
two- member panel comprising the SGPC chief, Avatar Singh, and the
Damdami Taksal chief, Harnam Singh, and their approval by the SGPC
executive," said Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Giani Gurbachan Singh said it was not the end of changes as more
changes could be effected in the calendar in future.
As per the Nanakshahi calendar, which was approved by the SGPC and
Akal Takht and was implemented in 2003, the birth anniversary of Guru
Gobind Singh was celebrated on January 5, his martyrdom day was
observed on October 21 and the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev was
observed on June 16. Almost all dates were fixed in the existing
Nanakshahi calendar, but it may not be so in the case of a changed
Nanakshahi calendar.
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab
