Date:15/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/15/stories/2003041504311200.htm

National

Controversial Sikh calendar released

By Sarabjit Pandher

TALWANDI SABO (Bathinda) APRIL 14. The Shiromani Akali Dal controlled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today utilised the historic Baisakhi festival to launch the controversial "Nanakshahi'' Calendar which is based on solar movements to fix the dates of important events for the Sikh community.

The calendar, which had raised many eyebrows as it was suspected to further the cause for a "separate identity'' of the Sikh community in the past, was released by the SGPC chief, Kirpal Singh Badungar, at an Akali Dal congregation in the Diwan hall of the historic Gurdwara of Takhat Damdama Sahib here. He presented the copy of the calendar to the Akali chief, Parkash Singh Badal, amid intense shouting of slogans by workers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Badungar said it was heartening that like Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus, the Sikhs too had a calendar of their own. The effort initiated by a Canada-based Sikh scholar, Pal Singh Purewal, had finally borne fruit after thorough deliberations among the scholars and religious dignitaries of the community.

The SGPC also released a booklet to explain the various aspects of the new calendar.