SGPC Releases Latest 548th Bikrami-Nanakshahi Calendar Without Involving Appointed Jathedars

Posted: 23 Jan 2016

AMRITSAR SAHIB—Last year, while the SGPC had asked the Akal Takht Sahib ‘appointed’ Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to oversee the calendar row, yesterday, it issued the latest calendar in his absence.  Notably, the calendar was launched solely by the SGPC staff, including Avtar Makkar and controversial Chief Secretary Harcharan Singh, and no appointed Jathedar or Darbar Sahib granthis were present.  The launched calendar is of the 548th Nanakshahi year.
As per the press note shared with Sikh24.com this evening, the newly released calendar has been published in two forms i.e. one layered and four layered.  SGPC has dedicated the calendar to th 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and photos of historical places and weapons related to Guru Sahib have been published.
SGPC was unable to answer why none of the ‘appointed’ Jathedars were present at the launch of the calendar.  There are speculations that Jathedars are upset by the recent talks between SGPC officials and Sukhbir Badal about appointing new Jathedars.
Executive member Rajinder Singh Mehta, Chief Secretary Harcharan Singh, Secretary Dr. Roop Singh, Secretary Avtar Singh, Additional Secretary Diljeet Singh Bedi and Sukhdev Singh Bhoora Kohna were present on the occasion of releasing this calendar.