Date row ‘erodes’ Akal Takht’s prestige

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, December 27

Even as the stage is set for the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary tomorrow, Sikh intellectuals feel that Akal Takht’s recent move to change its date and then resort to a quick volte face has eroded its prestige and authority

Initially, the Sikh clergy changed the gurpurb date from December 28 to January 7 as it was coinciding with the martyrdom day of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger Sahibzadas, which fell on December 26-28. However, sources revealed that Akal Takht was forced to withdraw the decision as the move had sent a message to the Sikh community that after making amendments in the original Nanakshahi Calendar, the Sikh high priests have now even changed the gupurb date, which has a historic backdrop. Besides, the SGPC had virtually got isolated over the issue as Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, and the DSGMC were all set to celebrate the event on December 28 only. Therefore, in view of the pressure from various quarters, the Akal Takht had to take a U-turn and announce that gurpurb will be celebrated on December 28 only.

Meanwhile, the Sikh intellectuals and leaders have taken strong exception to the turn of events that unfolded during the course of controversy. Talking to The Tribune, former GNDU Vice-Chancellor SP Singh said the Sikh high priests were no more independent when it came to taking decisions as these were now taken “under the influence of the political bosses”.

“Earlier it was only the credibility of Akal Takht that had taken a beating, but now I would say the credibility of the entire Sikh clergy is at the lowest ebb. This is the reason why some edicts issued by them are followed whereas others are not,” he said. Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said flip-flops like these showed Akal Takht and its Jathedar in poor light while wondering how long they would keep changing the gurpurb dates. He said if Akal Takht had changed the date, it should have stood firm on its ground. He attributed the prevailing mess to the amendments made in the original Nanakshahi Calendar.

Noted Sikh scholar Ashok Singh Bagrian said the change of date first and then the U-turn within a week had eroded the prestige and the authority of Akal Takht. He said, “The Sikh clergy must decide whether we are an independent religion or not. If yes, then we must have our own calendar as it is a must for our independent identity.”

Former National Commission for Minorities Chairman Tarlochan Singh said the Jathedars had made the Sikh community a laughing stock in the eyes of the people. He said when any decision had to be taken by the highest authority, then they should think twice. He said there was no need for the community to get stuck in issues like the calendar when serious issues like rising apostasy needed to be addressed. Former DSGMC chief Harvinder Singh Sarna said first they created a mess by amending the original Nanakshahi Calendar and they were now misleading the Sikh sangat by changing the gurpurb dates.