LAHORE, Pakistan—Shaheedi Gurpurab (Martyrdom day) of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji was observed on Monday by Sikhs in Pakistan at historic Gurdwara Dehra Sahib here as per the original Nanakshahi Calendar.
The Gurpurab had already been observed here due to confusion prevailing over the calendar row among Sikh community. On Monday, Sikh sangat arrived from various parts of the world to attended the bhog ceremony of the Akhand Path Sahib, which was followed by ‘Shabad Kirtan’. The congregation was addressed by various Sikh personalities including former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) chief, Bishen Singh, and former Delhi Gurdwara Committee president, Paramjit Singh Sarna.
Bishen Singh alleged that SGPC chief Avtar Makkar tried to form a rift among the Sikhs during his recent visit but today’s gathering proved that he failed in his attempt.
Citing the reference of unfortunate clash held in Sri Darbar Sahib Complex on June 6, he said Makkar should set his own house in order instead of interfering in the Gurdwara affairs of Pakistan. He urged Sr Akal Takht Sahib to forbid any politics on the Nanakshahi Calendar row and should settle down the issue in a transparent manner at the earliest.
As per press release issued by Paramjit Sarna from Pakistan, various speakers while addressing the gathering announced that if Sri Akal Takht Sahib didn’t resolve the Nanakshahi Calendar row before the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji, the Pakistan Gurdwara Committee will itself call ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev to sort out the issue on its own. Sarna said the original Nanakshahi Calendar was implemented after thorough deliberations among the Sikh community, but it was amended merely to please a few Sikh sects.
Pakistan Punjab Assembly member Ramesh Singh Arora said Pakistan union government was dealing with the issues confronting the Sikhs with utmost sincerity.
Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Khalid Ali said the Nanakshahi Calendar was the internal matter of the Sikh community and they would not interfere in it. He said the Pakistan Government was committed for the development of Sikh shrines and extending all the amenities to the Sikh pilgrims from other countries.
The SGPC and the DSGMC didn’t send their jathas because they had sent the Jatha as per the Gurpurab date inscribed in amended version of Nanakshahi Calender and Pakistan High Commission denied them visas, contending that the event was being observed in Pakistan on June 16 as per the original calendar.
