Akal Takht Declares Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ‘Anti-Panthic’, Summons AAP Sikh MLAs on June 29 Mann's video of violating picture of Sant Bhindrawale found true in forensic report
AMRITSAR: In a development that could significantly impact Punjab’s political landscape ahead of the Assembly elections later this year, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh on Sunday declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann “anti-panthic” and an “enemy of the Sikh Panth,” while urging the Sikh community to socially and religiously distance itself from him.
The announcement came after the five Sikh high priests reportedly held the Chief Minister guilty on two separate counts concerning issues of religious sensitivity and alleged sacrilege.
The first issue relates to a viral video purportedly showing Mann sprinkling liquor on a picture of a Sikh personality and urinating on a portrait of Sikh martyr Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. When summoned by the Akal Takht earlier, Mann had reportedly claimed that the video was fake and generated using artificial intelligence.
According to the Akal Takht, the Chief Minister was asked to provide the names of two forensic laboratories where the video could be examined. However, after Mann allegedly failed to furnish the names, the Akal Takht itself sent the video for forensic examination to two laboratories.
The forensic reports, according to the Akal Takht, concluded that the video was not manipulated or AI-generated. On the basis of these findings, the Sikh clergy held that Mann had made false statements before the Akal Takht.
Reacting to the development, Baltej Pannu, media adviser to the Chief Minister, maintained that while the forensic report may have found the video to be genuine, it did not establish that the individual appearing in the footage was Bhagwant Mann. He argued that the identity of the person seen in the video remains disputed.
The second issue concerns the Punjab government’s legislation on sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib passed in the Vidhan Sabha. The Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have objected to certain provisions of the proposed law, particularly clauses that hold custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib liable along with the accused in cases of sacrilege.
SGPC leaders questioned how a custodian could be held responsible for acts committed by others, terming the provision unacceptable.
Escalating its stand, the Akal Takht has now summoned all Sikh MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party to appear before it on June 29. The Jathedar warned that interference in Sikh religious affairs by the state government would not be tolerated.
The latest confrontation between the Punjab government and Sikh religious institutions is expected to trigger intense political debate in the state. Opposition parties and Sikh bodies have accused the AAP leadership of directly confronting the Akal Takht, while statements attributed to the Chief Minister indicating that he was not concerned about Akal Takht decisions are likely to further fuel the controversy.
With Punjab heading for Assembly elections later this year, political observers believe the dispute could have significant electoral ramifications, particularly among Sikh voters. The coming weeks are expected to witness heightened political activity as both religious and political institutions stake out their positions on the contentious issues.
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