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Nanakshahi Changes Come Under
Fire from US Sikhs
Resolution rejects SGPC, sadhs’ doings, calls it saffronization
agenda
WSN
Bureau
 FREMONT: If
there was a recipe to enrage the Diaspora Sikhs, ignore their
reasoned debate and pleas, and isolate itself completely from the
wider Sikh sentiment prevailing all through the world, the incumbent
clergy and the forces running the SGPC seem to have cooked their own
goose well.
The move to
order changes in the unanimously adopted Nanakshahi Calendar came
under not just sharp criticism but a summary rejection from the
United States sangat at a conclave organized by Gurdwara Sahib,
Fremont where many Sikh organizations and gurdwara committees'
representatives went so far as to call for a boycott of the visiting
self-styled Sant Samajis and jathedars.
Khalistan
Affairs Center, Sikh Youth of America, Shiromani Akali Dal
(Amritsar), American Sikh Organization, martyrs' families, Gurmat
Chetna Lehar, Sikh Missionary forum, Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Dasmesh
Darbar Gurdwara Sahib Lodi, Gurdwara Sahibs of Stockton, Seattle,
Selma and many others backed a resolution against the self-styled
sadh's bunch and the SGPC-ordered changes in the almanac.
Sending signals
that the Panth was keeping a watch on who was tilting on which side
of the divide sought to be engineered by the Hindutva forces, the
gathering appreciated the voice of dissent and protest registered by
Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, SGPC general
secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Bhai Karnail Singh Panjoli and Bibi
Ravinder Kaur. It was also decided to honor them for their brave
stance in the face of unprecedented pressure from the Badal-led
loyalist group.
The gathering
sent a strong message that the Nanakshahi Calendar was arrived at
after much research and consultation and it cannot be made to yield
any room for Bikrami calendar. Speakers said that those claiming to
have achieved panthic unity by agreeing to the changes in the
almanac need to reflect on the long-term consequences of their
capitulation.
The Resolution
passed by the conclave condemned all efforts to effect changes in
the Nanakshahi Calendar and said these were inspired and encouraged
by Hindutva forces and the changes amounted to saffronization of the
almanac that gave the Sikhs their unique identity. It also called
upon the Sikh sangat to continue observing all days as per the
Calendar issued by the Akal Takht in 2003.
13
January 2010
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