Don’t listen to Sant Samaj and revert back to original Nanakshahi Calendar, Jathedars urged

Amritsar: Ahead of Takht Jathedar’s meeting on Nanakshahi Calendar issue, former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, on March 08, said the views of those who didn’t follow the Sikh “rehat maryada” should not be given any importance while deliberating on the key issue of Nanakshahi calendar. He was apparently targeting the Sant Samaj ahead of the Sikh clergy meeting on March 09.

In a joint statement with Kewal Singh, Panthpreet Singh Khalsa, Gurtej Singh and Dr Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh said the Sikh nation must revert to the original Nanakshahi calendar that came into being after thorough deliberations in 2003. It was a symbol of distinct identity of the Sikhs, they said.

Giani Gurbachan Singh releases amended version Nanakshahi Calendar [File Photo].

The Sant Samaj might continue to follow the Bikrami calendar to observe the events at their “deras” but they “should not tamper” with the Nanakshahi Calendar, they added.

Former DSGMC chief Harvinder Singh Sarna also urged the Takht Jathedars to revert to the original Nanakshahi calendar and “ignore the suggestions” of the Sant Samaj “which doesn’t follow the maryada of the Akal Takht”.

These reactions poured in following media reports that the Takht Jathedars might constitute a committee to look into the calendar row during its meeting on Monday.