Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Wednesday made it clear that it would deal with an iron hand against those who indulge in errant acts of distorting photographs of the Sikh Gurus.
Specifically pointing towards uploading such “objectionable” photographs of Sikh Gurus, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar has shot off a communication to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention.
He has asked the Prime Minister to take stern action against the elements who had uploaded distorted photographs of Sikh Gurus on the social website which hurts religious sentiments of the Sikh community. Only recently, a morphed picture showing a Facebook user from Malaysia looking like Guru Gobind Singh has kicked up a row. Even as the picture was removed on the very next day, various Sikh organisations in India, especially Punjab demanded the registration of a criminal case. The controversy comes close on the heels of the uproar over a morphed picture of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on Facebook.
Makkar, in his letter to the Prime Minister, has maintained that if such “objectionable” acts would not be checked, it may deteriorate the existing law and order situation. Besides writing to the Prime Minister, Makkar has also written a letter to the Malaysian Government, asking them “to take strict action against those who have indulged in such a distasteful act”.
This is not all! The SGPC chief has also written to the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and State Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini asking them to deal sternly with those people who indulge in such objectionable activities.
No more changes in Nanakshahi calendar Makkar said that any further changes in the Nanakshahi Calendar — a tropical solar calendar adopted by SGPC to determine dates for important Sikh events — would not be made.
“Amendments have been made in the Nanakshahi calendar once, and it would not happen again and again. Those who want to raise the issue, they are free to do so, but no further changes would be made in the calendar.
Carrying out amendments over and over again may bring misconceptions among the minds of the people regarding Gurus festivals,” Makkar clarified.
His assertions assume significance in the light of recent statement by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh supporting the demand of amending the Nanakshahi calendar. He had stated that Nanakshahi calendar is not a Gurbani which cannot be changed.
Rs one crore for Uttarakhand victims Makkar also informed that the SGPC had set aside Rs one crore for the victims of Uttarakhand natural calamity. “We have earmarked Rs one crore to contribute for the victims of the Uttarakhand disaster.
Besides, SGPC would also contribute for the construction of Gurdwara Gobind Ghat which was completely washed away in the recent flash floods, he added.