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Calendar row: Gurpurb celebrated twice in 3 days

The birth anniversary of Guru Ram Das was celebrated again today — two days after the SGPC commemorated the occasion. This was the result of a controversy over Nanakshahi calendar.

Sikh outfits, including the Panthic Talmel Sangathan, Akal Purakh Ki Fauj, Shabad Kirtani Jatha and gatka parties, claimed they celebrated Gurpurb in accordance with the original Nanakshahi calendar endorsed by Akal Takht in 2003. Then, the Kirpal-Singh-Badungar-led SGPC had adopted Nanakshahi calendar authored by Paul Singh Purewal.

Fourteen years later, the SGPC — with Badungar at the helm — has been acknowledging the amended version of the calendar, christened Bikrami calendar in 2010, leading to confusion among the Sikh community about the dates of Gurpurbs.

Badungar said if Sikh organisations and the “sangat” wanted the original Nanakshahi calendar to be implemented, they should approach Akal Takht. “The matter under question comes under the jurisdiction of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. The SGPC has to follow directions of Akal Takht,” he said.

Takht Damdama Sahib ex-Jathedar Kewal Singh and Akal Purakh Ki Fauj director Jaswinder Singh said, “Call it political pressure, the original calendar was amended through the Sant Samaj. It was a pity that the SGPC followed it. We appeal to the SGPC president to get the original calendar implemented so that there is no confusion about the dates of Gurpurbs.”