Afghanistan & Pakistan Sikhs Celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Birth Anniversary

Due to differences over the Nanakshahi Calendar, the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh was celebrated in Afghanistan and Pakistan on 5 Jan and will be celebrated in other countries, including India, on 17 Jan. The minuscule Sikh community residing in Kabul, Afghanistan, celebrated Guru Gobind Singh’s 358^th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) in a subdued manner in the only operational Gurdwara in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. In neighboring Pakistan, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) outlined an elaborate celebration to mark the Prakash Purab across various Gurdwaras. Celebrations were held at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Attock President Sardar Ashar Hayat Khan as the chief guest. In the same Himalayan range, in Jammu, the Sikhs organized a spectacular Nagar Kirtan (religious procession). The event saw a significant turnout of Sikh community members, including children from various schools and Ragi Jathas from both Jammu and Kashmir, transforming the City of Temples into a vibrant display of religious fervor. Similarly, in Rajouri, the Sikh community took out an impressive Nagar Kirtan in Sunderbani area. Youth from Baba Deep Singh Gatka Akhara Poonch displayed the Gatka (martial art) at the Old Bus Stand. Meanwhile, Sikhs from Pakistan have urged Sikhs worldwide to sink their differences over the Nanakshahi calendar and formalize one calendar for the community. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has said, ‘The issue of Nanakshahi calendar falls under the jurisdiction of Akal Takht. We will proceed to address it upon receiving appropriate instructions from the Takht.'