In a special interview with Sikh24, former Akal Takht Sahib appointed Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti stated that the original Nanakshahi calendar engineered by S. Pal Singh Purewal represented the separate identity of the Sikh nation but it is a matter of deep concern that those who were trying to kill the spirit of this calendar, are committing a gross blunder by destroying the supremacy and dignity of Sri Akal Takht Sahib as well.
Vedanti said that on the pretext of making corrections, the calendar was murdered in 2010. “From 2003 when it was implemented, to 2010, the calendar caused no loss for the Sikh nation religiously, politically, or principally,” he said.
He explained that the original Nanakshahi Calendar came into existence in 2010 with the hard work of Canada based Sikh expert Pal Singh Purewal, but Akal Takht Sahib constituted a separate committee to test its viability. Also, it was reviewed by various Sikh organizations of India and abroad, Sikh historians, geographers, and astronomers. In addition, it was passed by the executive panel and general house of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Following all these steps which took 3 years, Akal Takht Sahib accepted this calendar.
Following this long procedure, Jathedar Kirpal Singh Badungar, the then president of SGPC and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal had decided to release this calendar from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo.
“If any shortcoming was seen in it, a committee should have been constituted in order to correct it, in which Pal Singh should also be included. We demand if there is any fault in the original calendar implemented by all Sikh organizations, Gurdwara management committees, Singh Sabhas, and others, Jathedar Kirpal Singh Badungar, Parkash Badal, Pal Singh Purewal deserve punishment, and being the then head of the First Takht of the Sikhs, I am ready to face any kind of punishment,” he said, asserting that whoever was guilty of causing great loss for the nation by amending the calendar, should be ready to face punishment as well.
He said in straightforward words that on the pretext of amending the Calendar, supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is being hurt.
Taking a jab at the incumbent appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Vedanti said, “On one side, the decision to celebrate Parkash Gurpurb of Sri Guru Gobind Singh on January 7 is taken by Panj Singh Sahiban (highest presidium of Sikhs), on the other hand there seems to be no need to call Panj Singh Sahibans to make a change.” He questioned if it is not an act of hurting the supremacy of Akal Takht Sahib that Giani Gurbachan Singh changed the decision taken by Panj Singh Sahiban.
He said in emotive words that opponents and invaders assaulted Sri Akal Takht Sahib many times but the nation kept on constructing its building in more and more beautiful ways, but who would compensate the loss caused by hurting the traditions and tenets of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs? It is matter of grave concern at present.
On being asked about the identification of the agencies who are trying to kill the spirit of the Nanakshahi calendar, he said that these agencies were disclosed in 2010. He said that an ordinary Sikh, Sikh leaders, and respected Jathedars of Takhts are accountable before Sangat of Guru, not before any other. He indicated towards the RSS, a right-wing Hindu terrorist organisation, as being behind these activities to ruin the separate identity of Sikhs.
