Amritsar, February 5: As expected, the Sikh high priests' meeting at the Akal Takht today proved to be a mere formality and they deferred any decision on Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, for the next unscheduled meeting. Though experts feel that by not acting against Giani Iqbal Singh, the Jathedars bought peace and avoided any "panthic crisis", insiders said SGPC chief Jathedar Avtar Singh had intervened in the matter, leading to the postponement of "action".

The Sikh clergy had met to take up the controversial issue Nanakshahi calendar, rejected by Giani Iqbal Singh last weak. A day ahead of the meet, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti had held close-door parleys with Sant Samaj leaders, who had also advised him to avoid any clash amongst the clergy. The matter was suspended also because Jathedar of Hazur Sahib Bhai Rattan Singh had sided with Giani Iqbal Singh on the issue and Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh was also not in favour of blowing the issue out of proportion.

Giani Iqbal Singh had not only rejected the Nanakshahi calendar, but also proposed changes in Gurbani and the maryada, the issues which should be decided only by the Akal Takht.

Golden Temple head Granthi Giani Gurbachan Singh and Granthi Mal Singh also participated in the meeting, in which Giani Iqbal Singh was not invited and Bhai Rattan Singh was not well, so he kept away.

The SGPC executive, in its meeting on January 31, had sought direct intervention of the Akal Takht on the issue and even demanded "strict action" against those who wanted to challenge the authority of the Takht. Sources said Makkar had held a close-door meeting with Jathedar Vedanti and Giani Tarlochan Singh ahead of their meet on the issue. It was learnt that Makkar also wanted the Jathedars to defer the decision on the Nanakshahi calendar for the time being as the Sant Samaj was divided over it.

Damdami Taksal Chief Harnam Singh Khalsa had also taken a divergent view and said that the calendar was not acceptable to them in the present form.

Various dates of Gurpurb and other historic events usually clash and major changes have been witnessed to celebrate the historic days by the Sikhs following the implementation of the new calendar. Shabad Guru Parchar Sant Samaj, a conglomeration of the various Sikh saints organization headed by Baba Ghalla Singh had given recognition to the Calendar and stated that all the edicts in this regard, issued from Akal Takht would be binding on the Sikhs.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Jathedars-tiff-over-calendar-Aka...