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source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091228/punjab.htm#2
Amritsar, December 27
Various Sikh organisations, formers jathedars and some members of the Nanakshahi Calender Committee are up in arms over changes in the parameter and restructuring of the calendar on the lines of Vikrami calendar.
They expressed apprehensions of effecting changes in the calendar at separate meetings held here today. The five Sikh high priests are scheduled to hold a meeting to discuss changes in the calendar at Akal Takht secretariat tomorrow.
The Sikh Watch Group (SWG), comprising former jathedars and the Sikh intelligentsia, has announced to reject any change in the calender.
Members of the SWG, Balwant Singh Dhillon and Kulwinder Singh Bajwa, also members of the Nanakshahi Calender Committee, said the proposed amendment was uncalled for as the calendar was already widely accepted all over the world duly endorsed by the SGPC and Akal Takht.
Dhillon said the calendar was prepared in 1995 but it was implemented only in 2003. He opined that it would be wrong to pattern it on Vikrami calendar since the latter increased every next year by 20 minutes. Hence, a day was increased after 24 years, he claimed. He said the calendar was endorsed by the Central and state governments besides various sikh organisations set up in numerous countries around the world.
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, in whose tenure the calendar was adopted, said adequate time for suggestions and improvements was given. He recalled that opinions were invited from religious, ideological and historic grounds through a letter written on April 22, 2008, and the deadline was till August 15, 2008. He wondered that nobody had come forward then.
He alleged that some vested interest were adamant to divide the community on certain issues. He said the SWG was formed to watch such nefarious designs and alert the community.
The Dal Khalsa, a radical group, shot off a letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh for registering its protest against any change in the pattern of the calender. The letter stated that if the pattern of the calendar was changed as per Vikrami calendar, the day would be recorded as a “black day” in the Sikh history.
Nanakshahi Calendar
Sikh priests to discuss changes today
Neeraj Bagga/Tribune News Service
Sikh priests to discuss changes today
Neeraj Bagga/Tribune News Service
Amritsar, December 27
Various Sikh organisations, formers jathedars and some members of the Nanakshahi Calender Committee are up in arms over changes in the parameter and restructuring of the calendar on the lines of Vikrami calendar.
They expressed apprehensions of effecting changes in the calendar at separate meetings held here today. The five Sikh high priests are scheduled to hold a meeting to discuss changes in the calendar at Akal Takht secretariat tomorrow.
The Sikh Watch Group (SWG), comprising former jathedars and the Sikh intelligentsia, has announced to reject any change in the calender.
Members of the SWG, Balwant Singh Dhillon and Kulwinder Singh Bajwa, also members of the Nanakshahi Calender Committee, said the proposed amendment was uncalled for as the calendar was already widely accepted all over the world duly endorsed by the SGPC and Akal Takht.
Dhillon said the calendar was prepared in 1995 but it was implemented only in 2003. He opined that it would be wrong to pattern it on Vikrami calendar since the latter increased every next year by 20 minutes. Hence, a day was increased after 24 years, he claimed. He said the calendar was endorsed by the Central and state governments besides various sikh organisations set up in numerous countries around the world.
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, in whose tenure the calendar was adopted, said adequate time for suggestions and improvements was given. He recalled that opinions were invited from religious, ideological and historic grounds through a letter written on April 22, 2008, and the deadline was till August 15, 2008. He wondered that nobody had come forward then.
He alleged that some vested interest were adamant to divide the community on certain issues. He said the SWG was formed to watch such nefarious designs and alert the community.
The Dal Khalsa, a radical group, shot off a letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh for registering its protest against any change in the pattern of the calender. The letter stated that if the pattern of the calendar was changed as per Vikrami calendar, the day would be recorded as a “black day” in the Sikh history.
