Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committe has justified its decision to use the photograph of damaged Akal Takht after 1984 Operation Blue Star to the Election Commission of India. Earlier this week, SGPC released Nanakshahi Calendar with the photograph of Akal Takhat Sahib which led to chorus of protest with Congress and other parties in Punjab as this move of SGPC could affect sikh voter’s sentiments.

In reply to election commission’s notice, SGPC said that the photograph of Akal Takhat is appropriate as this year marks the 25th anniversary of Operation Blue Star and due to demands of various Sikh organizations, this year, the 25th anniversary will be observed in a big way.

Dalmegh Singh, secretary SGPC said that the calendar release has nothing to do with elections as Nanakshahi year starts in March and release of Calendar is annual affair. He also said that the calendar image was finalized in November 2008, when even the elections were not announced.

Earlier, the election commission issued a notice to SGPC regarding the calendar on the complaint of Dr. PS Ranu, national president of Sehajdhari Federation who described the SGPC move to use Akal Takht photograph as Shiromani Akali Dal’s party politics to woo sikh voters.

Tags: akal takht, india, nanakshahi calendar, SGPC

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