‘modifications In A Hurry, Unjustified’

[Azaad]

Though dissent is the strength of any democratic body, it is the bane of the Sikh community as is evident from the polarisation within the community over proposed amendments to the Nanakshahi Calendar.

While the executive committee of the SGPC not only endorsed the amendments but also got the approval of Akal Takht, various Sikh organisations, including the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and the Institute of Sikh Studies, continue to oppose any changes in the calendar.

Besides the Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS), the International Sikh Confederation (ISC) and the Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha (KSGSS) have also expressed their deep disappointment over the decision of the SGPC executive committee.

“These amendments have totally changed the concept and character of the calendar,” a joint communiqué of the IOSS, ISC and the KSGSS said. They held that the Nanakshahi Calendar had been framed after a thorough research and deliberations in which a large segment of Sikhs from across the globe took part. Learned persons, irrespective of their religious beliefs were consulted. Every aspect was thoughtfully studied and unanimously approved by the general house of the SGPC and jathedars of all the five Takhts.

Making major modifications without consulting all sections of the Sikh community, they held, are totally unjustified. There was no urgency to take this decision in such a hurry. The IOSS, ISC and the KSGSS also appealed to the jathedars not to issue any edict on the amended calendar so as to preserve unity in the panth.

Meanwhile, DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said the general house of the Delhi committee had at its general house meeting of December 28 unanimously resolved that any changes or modifications made in the calendar on the recommendation of a 11-member panel would not be acceptable to them

Only the general house of the SGPC was empowered to endorse these amendments. Further, Sarna accused the Chief Minister and chief patron of the SAD Parkash Singh Badal for the alleged safforinastion of the Sikh panth and held that getting these amendments endorsed in the calendar was a corroboration of the saffornisation.

Sarna also maintained that even the executive committee of the SGPC was divided and as such there was no justification for according approval to an amendment that had a fractured consent.

He said if Akal Takht also endorsed the amendments, it would clearly indicate that even the temporal seat of the Sikhs was opting to “play the employee card” than assert its moral and ethical responsibility towards the Sikh panth. Instead Akal Takht should have sought views of all Sikh organisations before arriving at its final decision.

[Puraatan]

Sarna is a traitor who is worse than Badal.