SRI AMRITSAR SAHIB - Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, courted fresh controversy when he announced that Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib's Shaheedi Gurpurab would now be observed on December 10th, instead of set date of November 24th.
Here is what the various new outlets are reporting on this surprising move:
Indian Express (Wed. Nov 24th, 2010) : Not today, martyrdom day on Dec 10: Akal Takht
A day before Sikhs were to observe the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur on November 24, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh announced that the day must be marked on December 10, leading to confusion among the devotees.
“I have decided that the day should be observed on December 10. The SGPC will observe the day on December 10,” the Jathedar said, adding that he had received various requests from the world over to change the date.
However, he said “if some Sikh bodies or institutions have made arrangements for the day’s ceremonies” for November 24, they could go ahead with the celebrations. The others should celebrate on the date being announced by the Akal Takht.
Earlier, the SGPC and the Punjab government had mentioned November 24 as holiday on the Guru’s martyrdom.
Punjab Newsline (Tues. Nov 23rd, 2010): Dal Khalsa flays Akal Takht Jathedar for changing Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom date
The Dal Khalsa castigated the recent decision of Akal Takht jathedar Gaini Gurbachan Singh to change the date of martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur from Nov 24 to Dec 10.
Party secretary Kanwar Pal Singh contested the argument given by the jathedar while changing the date of the gurpurab. “In fact, the problem has occurred because Guru Nanak’s gurpurab was still being celebrated as per Bikrami calendar despite the adoption of Nanakshahi calendar. Instead of solving the problem for all times to come by fixing the date of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary as per Nanakshahi calendar, it’s ironic that the jathedar was upsetting the date of other gurpurab. Calling the decision as arbitrary, he blamed jathedar for making the matter worst.
Pertinently, the jathedar while altering the date has given the argument that “many Sikhs were finding it difficult to make arrangements for two historic dates in their calendar which fellwithin two days of each other”.
The organization made an appeal to the Sikh Diaspora in particular and citizens of India in general to observe the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur as ‘Human Rights and Religious Freedom’ day on Nov 24.
Asserting that Guru Teg Bahadur was in fact ‘dharam di chadar (cover for religion), he said the guru tasted martyrdom to fight against tyranny and to protect the oppressed class irrespective of their
religion and caste. He said most of the Sikh history has been either written by non-Sikhs or under the influence of ruling elite. He urged the Sikhs to rewrite their history free from outside influence. (Report by Gurpreet Singh Mehak)
