Nandgarh committed to Nanakshahi calendar

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 31

A defiant Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib today said that he would continue to back the Nanakshahi calendar, come what may. Talking to The Tribune today, Jathedar Balwant Nandgarh said he did not wish to speak about “forces” seeking his ouster. “I do not remember the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh ever coinciding with the Martyrdom Day of his Sahibzadas (sons). How can you celebrate Gurpurab on the Martyrdom Day,” he asked. Reliable sources said the Jathedar’s supporters would meet in Amritsar tomorrow to chalk out the next plan of action.

After a meeting with Jathedar Nandgarh, Jaswinder Singh Baliawal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), speaking on behalf of Paramjit Sarna, former DSGMC chief, said: “We are shocked at Akal Takht celebrating the Tenth Guru’s birthday on the Martyrdom Day of his sons. We stand by Jathedar Nandgarh on the calendar issue.”

Baliawal said the SGPC had decided to follow the Nanakshahi calendar in 2003.This was strongly opposed by senior BJP leader LK Advani. “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, by reverting to the Bikrami calendar, is in a way helping the RSS to further its agenda. “First it was decided that the Gurpurab and the Martyrdom Day of the Sahibzadas would be both observed on December 28. Then they decided on January 7 as the Martyrdom Day. this date too did not tally with the Nanakshahi calender (January 5). The date was finally changed to December 28 to suit the RSS,” Baliawal alleged.