Sikh Groups Resolve Decade-Long Dispute Over Guru Arjan Dev Ji Martyrdom Date

Lahore (Ali Imran Chattha): 

In a significant step towards unity, the protracted dispute between Pakistan's Sikh leaders and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) concerning the observation date for the martyrdom day of the sixth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, has been resolved. Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, informed Daily Imra that the martyrdom will henceforth be commemorated on both May 30 and June 16.

The resolution followed a telephonic discussion involving the SGPC chief and the Panj Pyare, the five revered figures in the Sikh faith. According to Ramesh Singh Arora, Pakistan will mark the martyrdom with prayers only, foregoing large-scale ceremonies.

Historically, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has adhered to the original Nanakshahi calendar, observing the martyrdom on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. Conversely, the SGPC in India has followed the revised Nanakshahi calendar, observing the day on May 30. This divergence has now been addressed with the official recognition of both dates for the martyrdom commemoration.

Ramesh Singh Arora and Saifullah Khokhar, Additional Secretary (Shrines) of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, announced that religious observances will span from May 30 until the end of June this year. The SGPC has appealed to the Indian government to facilitate the travel of pilgrims to Pakistan via the Wagah-Attari border and the Kartarpur Corridor, emphasizing the need to insulate religious visitors from political tensions.

In a landmark decision, the PSGPC and SGPC have jointly agreed to celebrate all Gurpurabs (Guru anniversaries) and other religious events collaboratively in the future. Furthermore, Ramesh Singh Arora stated that the anniversary of the Ghallughara (Sikh massacre) will be marked solely with prayers in remembrance of the martyrs, with no major events planned.