M A I N   N E W S

Decision on calendar soon
Vedanti warns Sikh sangat
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — Even as the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh was held with religious fervour by the SGPC, Akal Takht and other Sikh organisations on the basis of the traditional Bikrami calendar, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, has clarified that Akal Takht had neither rejected nor accepted the calendar so far.

“The good points of the Nanakshahi calendar and the Bikrami calendar which suit the Sikh traditions and maryada would be accepted”, he said. The SGPC was told to celebrate Gurpurb on the basis of the traditional calendar till a final decision was taken by Sikh scholars, he said.

The committee constituted by Akal Takht on this issue would be asked to take a final decision in this regard at the earliest, he said.

The “jantri” (calendar) issue had become the basis for the “unceremonious” removal of Giani Puran Singh as Jathedar, Akal Takht, on March 28 by pro-Bibi Jagir Kaur SGPC executive members. Earlier, Giani Puran Singh had banned the implementation of the controversial Nanakshahi calendar authored by a Canada-based Sikh, Mr Pal Singh Purewal. However, the then SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur implemented the Nanakshahi calendar and celebrated Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary on its basis last year which led to her excommunication from the Sikh Panth which was never accepted by her.

On the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat controversy, Jathedar Vedanti said gurdwaras were open to all, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. However, Akal Takht would not tolerate any interference in the Sikh affairs by anybody or any religion.

“Though we are not idol worshippers, yet we do not mind anybody worshipping idols as per their respective religious traditions. Hence the followers of other religions should also not interfere in Sikh affairs with mala fide intention,” he said.

Jathedar Vedanti said Akal Takht had not received any complaint that the Guru Granth Sahib was recited in temples today as announced by a section of the sangat, an off-shoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.

Though Gurpurb passed off peacefully, yet there was tension in wake of the announcements made by the sangat.

Meanwhile, Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Akal Takht Jathedar, has taken exception to the announcement made by the sangat with regard to the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib in temples. He said he would personally go to such temples to stop “anti-Panthic” incidents.

The Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) has criticised Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, and other Sikhs who opposed the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib in temples. In a press note, the Shiv Sena alleged that such leaders wanted to create a wedge between Hindus and Sikhs by issuing such statements.

The Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha President, Dr Shiv Kumar Premji, also flayed the statement of Jathedar Vedanti, criticising the sangat.