AMRITSAR: Going against the directives of Sikh's supreme temporal seat — Akal Takht, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) begin Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore on Friday; the Bhog (concluding ceremony) of which will be held on June 16th when PSGPC will observe the 407th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev. 

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has already observed the martyrdom day of Fifth Sikh master on June 12th. According to reports, former president of PSGPC Bishan Singh begins the Akhand Path at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore in presence of Sikh devotees who had thronged at the Gurdwara, from around the world. PSGPC observes the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Devaccording to original Pal Singh Purewal authored Nanakshahi Calendar (NC), while SGPC observes the day as par the amended version of NC. The amendments were made in 2010. Reacting on PSGPC's attitude, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said, "Majority of Sikhs in the world have accepted amended version of NC and, PSGPC should also accept the decision of Sikh clergy. I hope they will understand the religious sentiments of Sikhs and would abide by the directions of Akal Takht". 

Notably, SGPC had sent its 156-member Jatha to Pakistan to observe the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, but the president of SGPC led by Jatha RS Behniwal along with handful of devotees had returned on Thursday after observing the martyrdom day on June 12th. They were resentful of PSGPC and evacuee trust property board for maltreating them. A devotee from UK Ravinder Singh who has gone to Lahore from London to observe the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev told TOI over phone from Pakistan, "Such incidents are open exhibition of confusion and division among Sikhs and Sikh religious heads should gather to resolve the issue at the earliest."

Source: The Times of India, DT. June 14, 2013.