A first in 14 years: Jatha leaves for Pak to observe Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom

Amritsar: After a gap of 14 years, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Wednesday sent a 541-member Sikh jatha to Pakistan to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, marking the resumption of a pilgrimage that had remained suspended due to differences over the Nanakshahi Calendar.The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the SGPC continue to observe the martyrdom anniversary on different dates. While the PSGPC follows the original Pal Singh Purewal-authored Nanakshahi Calendar and will observe the occasion on June 16, the SGPC follows the amended Nanakshahi Calendar, under which the anniversary falls on June 18 this year.The date difference had led the SGPC to stop sending Sikh jathas to Pakistan for the martyrdom anniversary 14 years ago. This year, however, the pilgrimage has resumed, with both sides agreeing to continue their respective observances.Under the arrangement, the PSGPC will observe the martyrdom anniversary on June 16, while the SGPC jatha will hold its own observance on June 18 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.The delegation, led by SGPC members Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan and Gurmeet Singh Boo, is scheduled to return on June 19.Officiating Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj said that during his visit to Pakistan in Nov 2025 for the Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev, he discussed the issue with PSGPC office-bearers, who responded positively.Jaskaran Singh, media adviser to the officiating jathedar, said the PSGPC had been informed that the SGPC jatha would visit Pakistan, commence an Akhand Path and observe the martyrdom anniversary on June 18.