Amritsar, February 18 : Akal Takht jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti has sought suggestions from members of the Sikh community on the Nanakshahi calendar, which has been objected by some Sikh oganisations.

Joginder Singh Vedanti told this to reporters here today after his meeting with Dr. Darshan Singh, the Convener of the 11-member committee constituted by the Akal Takht.

Joginder Singh Vedanti said the suggestions would be referred to the committee headed by Dr. Darshan Singh for further discussion.

Dr. Darshan Singh said: "After written suggestions and objections are received, it would be the prerogative of the committee to decide and recommend their decision to the Akal Takht Sahib for final approval".

The calendar has been facing objections from some Sikh organisations. Iqbal Singh, the Jathedar (head priest) of the Takht Sri Patna Sahib, had pronounced a "hukamnama" (edict) challenging the Sikh tradition and the Nanakshahi calendar.

Meanwhile, the Sikh Diaspora has appreciated the Akal Takht's move to resolve the matter.

"We strongly oppose the move of Iqbal Singh. This is unacceptable to Sikhs the world over," Dr. Pritpal Singh, the Convener of the American Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), told ANI on phone from the US.

"Only the Akal Takht has the authority to modify the calendar," he added.

The Nanakshahi calendar is a solar calendar that was adopted by the SGPC to determine the dates for important Sikh events. It was designed by Pal Singh Purewal and has been in use since 1998.

ANI