Amritsar, Punjab (June 09, 2014): A Sikh Jatha comprising 281 yatris yesterday crossed over to Pakistan by road from Atari-Vagha international border. This Jatha was sent by Shiromani Akali Dal (Sarna faction), Khalra Mission Committee (KMC), Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatri Jatha and Bhai Mardana Yadgari Committee; while the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), controlled by Punjab’s ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), refrained from sending Jathas to Pakistan in Nanakshahi Calendar row.
It notable that a Sikh calendar known as the Nanakshahi Calendar was introduced in 2003. It was widely accepted by the Sikhs, but a section of Sant Samaj was against the introduction of Sikh calendar in contrast to traditional Bikrami calendar.
In 2009 the SGPC unilaterally amended the 2003 version of the Calendar giving rise to the Nanakshahi Calendar controvery.
Now according to original Nanakshahi calendar the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Ji is falling on June 16, where as according to amended version of the calendar the day was to be observed on June 01.
It is notable that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (PSGPC) follows the 2003 version of the Calendar. Last month the SGPC and DSGMC officials made failed attempts to persuade PSGPC officials to accept the amended version of the Calendar.
Organizers of the Sikh Jatha that crossed over to Pakistan on June 08 accused SGPC and DSGMC officials for raising hurdles aimed at preventing the Sikh sangats from attending the Shaheedi Samagams to be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore on June 16.