NANKANA SAHIB—Former President of Delhi Shiromani GurdwaraManagmeent Committee (DSGMC), Paramjit Sarna, who is currently in Pakistan, is planning to hold talks with the leaders of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) over “World Sikh Convention”, which may take place in Pakistan.
Sarna stated that World Sikh Convention would be a type of “Sarbat Khalsa”, however it would take place in Pakistan with the aim of uniting the Sikh Panth over a number issues. The need to organize a convention of world Sikhs came up as the community has remained divided over a number of issues, such as the Nanakshahi calendar.
Sarna said that a large number of Sikhs are expected to attend Gurpurab celebrations at Nankana Sahib in three years, thus it would a suitable place for the convention.
Although at this point, former DSGMC leader has only expressed plans to discuss the calendar issue, a number of other key issues may be decided – which include autonomy of the SGPC and the nomination of Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar. So far, besides the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), which is headed by Sarna, is the only other organization which has formally announced its plan to attend the events there in three years.
Akal Takht Sahib appointed Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, had earlier announced that only the SGPC could call Sarbat Khalsa. This statement has brought an outcry by the Sikh Sangat worldwide, as the tradition of Sarbat Khalsa gathering was in place before the SGPC was founded.
