AMRITSAR SAHIB—Terming Avtar Singh Makkar as a failed head of the premier institution of Sikhs, the Dal Khalsa today lashed out at him for misleading the Sikh Diaspora on the issue of Nanakshahi calendar and creating divisions amongst members of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).
Reacting sharply on Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) claims that Sikh Sangat (congregation) of Pakistan has given approval to the amended version of the calendar, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said Makkar and his team, who are on tour to neighboring country, had twisted the facts and played political stunt.
The SGPC claimed in a statement yesterday that the Sikh ‘sangat’ of Pakistan has given its approval to the amended version.
He said according to their UK chapter head and member of the advisory board of the PSGPC Manmohan Singh, no such decision to lend support to the amended version has been made by the Pak panel. “PSGPC still sticks to original version and they are observing the Gurpurab on June 16th“, said Manmohan, who is in regular touch with authorities in Pakistan especially those who deal with, and manage Sikh religious affairs over there.
“Desperate Makkar has cheated the Sikhs,” said Kanwarpal and added that, “the present SGPC chief like his bosses (read Badals) is playing divisive and diversion politics over there.” He wondered why the Badals are so desperate to convince the Pak gurdwara body to fall in line.
He said, “The Sikh community is divided on the issue of Nanakshahi calendar with Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, two SGPC executive members (Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and Karnail Singh Panjoli), PSGPC, American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) and scores of socio-religio-political groups including theirs still stick to the original version of 2003.”
Dal Khalsa leader urged the Jathedar Akal Takht to build consensus on the issue instead of playing partisan role. “The Jathedar should rise above the negative politics of Badals and play a positive role to stop further bickering within the community on this issue.”
He said the Nanakshahi Calendar was an identity marker for the Sikh community and the changes have killed the spirit of the almanac. He said these so-called changes in the Calendar have diluted the uniqueness of the Sikh almanac.
