CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Keeping in view the upcoming SGPC elections, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leaders have started deliberating upon the methods to calm down Sikh outrage against them. It is learned that the SAD (B) leaders may take a U-turn on several prominent Panthik issues in an attempt to pacify Sikh masses.
It is being speculated that the SGPC might make a U-turn on the issue of the Nanakshahi calendar by reinstating its basic version.
Earlier, the SGPC had made some amendments in the Nanakshahi calendar to map it with the Bikrami calendar.
However, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had refused to implement the amended version of the Nanakshahi calendar while continuing to follow the version made by Dr. Pal Singh Purewal.
Media reports reveal that the SAD (Badal) president Sukhbir Badal, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal and SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh thoroughly deliberated on this issue in a closed-door meeting held during the past days.
Media reports also claim that the SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal has been trying to approach several Sikh organizations to get their support in reinstating the basic version of the Nanakshahi calendar.
It is pertinent to note here that the challenges for Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) are increasing day by day. After facing a revolt by eminent Akali leaders like Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, the agitation of farmers against draconian laws didn’t leave any way out for Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and it finally snapped ties with its ruling ally BJP.
In 2019, SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was asked by the PSGPC leaders to sort out the issue of the Nanakshahi calendar as it causes visa refusals to Sikh pilgrims intending to observe Gurpurabs in Pakistan. This is because the dates of Gurpurabs differ due to which the Pakistani Embassy finds the visa applications moved by SGPC irrelevant.
It is being expected that the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee may ask the SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar for reinstating the basic version of Nanakshahi calendar in an attempt to snatch this issue from its new rivals Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali).
