Withdraw amendments in Nanakshahi calendar: Sikh bodies

Various Sikh bodies today appealed to the Akal Takht to suspend the implementation of the SGPC-amended Nanakshahi calendar, saying it would widen the gulf within the community.
    
They opposed the amendments made by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee(SGPC) executive committee early this month and demanded that these be withdrawn. The leaders voiced their concern against mixing of Nanakshahi calendar (solar calender) with Bikrami calendar (lunar calender).
    
The resolution to this effect was passed at a convention attended by Dal Khalsa, SAD (Panch Pardani), Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat, Shiromani Panthic Council, Akal Federation, Sikh Students Federation among others.
    
They resolved to convene the Sikh Conclave on March 14 to mark the first day of the New Year as per Nanakshahi calendar in consultation with Gurdwara Management bodies and Singh Sabha's within the country and Sikh Diaspora.
    
The gathering vows to stick to the original version of the calendar, which starts with the birth of Guru Nakak in 1469, and was adopted on March 28, 2003.
    
Dal Khalsa president HS Dhami claimed these changes in the calendar have diluted the uniqueness of the Sikh almanac.
    
Condemning the amendments, a member said "these were inspired and encouraged by Hindutva forces and the changes amounted to saffronisation of the almanac that gave the Sikhs their unique identity".