SGPC To Observe Joti Jot Diwas of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as per Original Nanakshahi Calendar in Pakistan

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will be starting Kar Sewa of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Narowal (Pakistan) on Joti Jot Diwas of Guru Nanak Ji which is being observed on September 22 as per original Nanakshahi Calendar in Pakistan.  The date of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Joti Jot was set as September 22 as per the calendar implemented in 2003.

Sources within the SGPC told Sikh24 that although no formal announcements have been made, most probably, a delegation of the SGPC would leave for Pakistan today to start Kar Sewa.

It is notable that as per the amended calendar issued by the SGPC, the Joti Jot diwas falls on October 7, 2015.

Sikh24 sources within the SGPC told that rifts should not be arisen among the Sikh Sangat due to calendar controversy. They said that the SGPC delegation would attend the programs of Joti Jot diwas as per original Nanakshahi calendar with an aim to make the environment favourable as per aspirations of Pakistan Sikhs.  

Earlier, the SGPC had refused to send Jathas to Pakistan as the committee there prescribes to the dates within the 2003 calendar.  SGPC’s move indicates that it may review its policy of not sending Jathas to Pakistan Sikh shrines on Gurpurbs as per Nanakshahi calendar on invitation of PSGPC.

It is worth mentioning that under pressure of the Sant Samaj led by Baba Harnam Singh Dhumna, the SGPC had withdrawn the original Nanakshahi calendar in 2010 and issued new calendar with certain amendments as per the Bikrami calendar. This year, it reverted to Bikrami calendar entirely, creating confusions and rifts among Sikh masses across the world.