Controversial Patna Sahib Jathedar Not Invited To Meeting Of Sikh High Priests

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RAAGMALA ROW
Patna Sahib Jathedar not invited to meeting of Sikh high priests
Perneet Singh
Tribune News Service ​

Amritsar, December 13

The forthcoming meeting of Sikh high priests on December 15 will not see the participation of Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh as he has reportedly not been invited to it over his remarks on the Raagmala issue.

Giani Iqbal Singh had sparked off a row on August 19 when he, in the presence of Panj Piaras at Patna Sahib, had issued an edict in the name of Sikh sangat stating that those completing akhand path or sehaj path without reciting Raagmala would be committing sacrilege. He had stated that when Guru Granth Sahib could not be published without Raagmala then nobody had the right to complete the path without reciting it. As per the Sikh rehat maryada (code of conduct) issued by the SGPC, it is clearly written under Article XI on page no. 18 that the reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermittent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of the Mundawani or the Raagmala, according to the convention traditionally observed at the place concerned.

Taking a serious note of his move, Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had sought a written clarification from him over the issue and barred him from attending the meeting of the Sikh high priests till he came out with the same.

Talking to The Tribune today, Giani Gurbachan Singh tried to steer clear from the issue. When asked whether Patna Sahib Jathedar would participate in the meeting, he said, "You will get to know on December 15." He also said that the Raagmala issue would not be discussed at the meeting. Similarly, he chose to keep mum on another controversial issue — the proposal of doing away with the Nanakshahi Calendar moved by the former SGPC chief secretary Manjeet Singh Calcutta. "It is also not on our agenda," said the Jathedar who was earlier quoted in a section of media, saying that they will look into the proposal.

On the other hand, Jathedar Iqbal Singh said only verbal clarification was sought from him and he had already explained his stand. "I have not received any written communication, seeking my clarification in writing over the issue," he averred. On the meeting, he said he had not received any intimation regarding it.
Meanwhile, Calcutta has attributed his proposal to the fact that the Nanakshahi Calendar has "divided the Sikh Sangat by causing confusion on the dates of some major events of Sikh history". He expressed his reservations over the changes made in the calendar some time back. "The amendments made in the calendar and subsequent tinkering with the dates of major events has killed the spirit of the Nanakshahi Calendar. It is quite unfortunate that Sikhism, a religion grounded in history, cannot reach consensus on its calendar while the religions having roots in mythology are not facing any such predicament. It is time that we accept our failure in reaching the consensus. Now, the only alternative is to revert to the previous calendar and start deliberations with Sikh intellectuals afresh over the issue," he averred.

source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101214/punjab.htm#1

 

[spnadmin]

What would lead to the conclusion that the Nanakashai Calendar has caused confusion? The Bikrami calendar, which has been adopted in modified form, is really confusing and harkens back to a Vedic lunar system where there are 13 lunar months, instead of twelve calendar months. In that system some gurpurabs will fall 2 times in one year and others not. To me it seems a complete dodge to bring this subject up when there are at least six other reasons why Bhai Iqbal Singh should be shunned, that are far more serious than his remarks about the calendar.