Amritsar, Punjab (February 05, 2014): It is learnt that the American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) has expressed serious concern over proposed changes in the Nanakshahi Calender.
AGPC representatives have urged jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib to convene a separate meeting of all parties, organizations and Sikh bodies and consult them before taking any decision reagrding Nanakshahi Calendar.
Times of India (TOI) has quoted unnamed sources saying that Pal Singh Purewal the creator of the Nanakshahi Calender was not even invited to discuss the issue.
A copy of unamended version of Nanakshahi Calendar – 545 [Source: Sikh Federation of Australia]
The AGPC has already expressed apprehensions that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is planning to eliminate the 2003 Nanakshahi Calender.
As per TOI AGPC President Jaswant Singh Hothi and Co-odinator Dr.Pritpal Singh stated in a press release that there was a conspiracy going on to fully eliminate the Nanakshahi Calender under the influence of RSS.
The US Sikh leaders said that Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar, whom the whole Panth regards with high esteem, must stop all attempts to eliminate the original Nanakshahi Calendar.
They reiterated that Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) under the influence of Hindutva grand body Rashtiya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has chalked out a plan to fully over rule the Nanakshahi Calendar and convert it into the Bikrami Calendar, which is unacceptable to the Sikh panth.
“We will not allow the SGPC to eliminate the Sikh Calendar and all Sikh bodies around the world should unite and appeal the Akal Takht Jathedar against the drive,” said Dr. Pritpal Singh.
He said they have already adopted the original calendar and celebrate all the events, including the Gurpurabs as per the original Nanakshahi Calendar and so do many other Sikh organizations.
“There is conspiracy by the Sangh Privaar to change the Nanakshahi Calender into the Bikrami Calender, and we will oppose this with all the force at our command, ” said Dr. Pritpal Singh.
The Nanakshahi Calender was created by Canada-based Sikh scholar Pal Singh Purewal, which the AGPC says establishes the Sikhs as a separate community.