Amritsar, Punjab (May 14, 2014):
It is learnt that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has decided to stick to the original Nanakshahi Calendar and observe the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev on June 16.
As per media reports Manmohan Singh Khalsa, member of the International Advisory Board to the PSGPC, said this while talking to The Tribune on phone from the UK today.
“A delegation of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGMC) met the PSGPC representatives in Pakistan and had tried to convince them to follow the amended calendar. However, the PSGPC told them that the SGPC didn’t keep them in the loop while switching over to the amended calendar despite the fact that they too observed four major ‘gupurabs’ in Pakistan” said Manmohan Singh Khalsa.
He said the PSGPC also told the DSGMC team that theirs was a low-key delegation and they could resolve the issue with them.
The PSGPC demanded that a high-power SGPC delegation, as also the DSGMC team, should visit Pakistan where they would also call Sikh leaders from abroad at a conclave at Nankana Sahib to resolve the calendar issue.
Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh Bittu has hailed the move saying it was a good opportunity to evolve a consensus on the issue. He said the “SGPC and the Akal Takth should rise above the politics of Badals” and address the issue.
PSGPC chief Sham Singh and its former president Bishen Singh could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.