Political debate intensifies in Punjab on Akal Takht decision, Bhagwant Mann responded

In a meeting of five ‘Singh Sahibans’ at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was termed as ‘Guru Doshi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’.

This decision was taken in the case of a controversial video. The Chief Minister has already said that this video was created with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and is fake.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann released a video on Tuesday and presented his stand on this issue. He clearly denied the viral video.

He said that even when he had appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib, he had clarified that he was not the person seen in the viral video.

Singh Sahiban means the five highest officials of the five Takhts of Sikhism, i.e. Jathedars. Singh Sahiban issues religious orders (Hukamnama) and deliberates on important issues related to the Sikh community around the world.

These five Takhts are: Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib), Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Patna, Bihar) and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded, Maharashtra).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bhagwant Mann said that neither his height nor his physical structure matches with the person seen in the video.

Bhagwant Mann said, “I am surprised that people holding such high positions of religion are spreading such false propaganda at the instigation of their political masters. They are doing this to defame me. Because I am taking decisions to protect the water of Punjab, to protect the words of Guru, to protect the interests of farmers and the future of the youth of Punjab, which they are unable to tolerate.”

Mann said that such strategy is being adopted to defame him and religion is being used in this.

He also said, “I consider Sri Akal Takht Sahib supreme, but the Sikh community knows very well what kind of decisions are taken by politically appointed officials there.”

Regarding the sacrilege law, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also said that the officials of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and SGPC were demanding such a law earlier, but when the government made the law, the question was raised as to why this law was made without asking them.

The Chief Minister said, “I appeal to the Sangat who take the name of Nanak not to be a part of such nefarious activities. The rest will be decided by the Sangat only. As long as you have given me this responsibility, I will keep taking decisions in the interest of Punjab.”

On Monday, Akal Takht Sahib’s acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said that investigation by two forensic laboratories approved by the Government of India did not find any evidence of tampering with the video or use of AI.

He said that Panch Singh Sahiban took this decision after consulting religious organizations, scholars and legal experts in this matter.

Acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj claimed in a statement that in the video, the Chief Minister is seen doing objectionable acts with Sikh religious symbols and the picture of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said, “This matter was discussed in the meeting held today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Religious and political sectarian organizations, sects, parties, scholars and legal experts took part in it. All sectarian personalities opined that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh should be declared a traitor to the Guru and an anti-sect.”

“The post of Chief Minister is very respectable. He has to represent every citizen of the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh lied in the video matter by going to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”

He further said, “Representing the sentiments of the Sikh community, today the five Singh Sahibans declare Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann a traitor to the Guru and an enemy of the Khalsa Panth. The Khalsa Panth should not close its eyes to this.”

Along with this, the acting Jathedar has summoned all the Sikh MLAs of Punjab Assembly on June 29 in the matter of Sacrilege Amendment Act.

Responding to the forensic investigation report released by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Baltej Pannu said that the report only states that the video in question is genuine and there has been no AI or any kind of digital tampering in it.

Pannu said, “Nowhere in the report does it say who the person seen in the video is. Does the forensic investigation prove that the person seen in the video is Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann or the place and circumstances are the same as claimed?”

He said that the scope of the forensic report is limited only to the authenticity of the video and not to determining the identity of the person seen in it.

He said, “In the coming days, we will make public more facts related to this case and the whole truth will come out.”

The party alleged that Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has made himself a part of the political controversy by taking a public stand.

On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal has also given a statement on this matter.

post on x Kejriwal wrote – Frustrated with the good works of Bhagwant Mann, his opponents are trying to defame him by telling lies.

Sikh historian Dr. Sukhdayal Singh says that this decision means that Bhagwant Mann should not be supported and wherever he goes, he should not be welcomed.

Senior journalist and expert on Sikh affairs Jaspal Sidhu says that the Jathedar has not directly said that Bhagwant Mann should not be supported.

Looking at this decision from a political perspective, Sidhu says, “This seems like a direct abuse of power. Such a decision should not have been taken.”

Dr. Sukhdayal Singh says that this decision has come just before the elections. In such a situation, this can be seen as an attempt to cause political harm to Bhagwant Mann and he can also complain to the Election Commission regarding the use of religion against him.

Dr. Amarjeet Singh, Director of the Department of Sikh Studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. BBC Punjabi correspondent Avtar Singh “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was not given much opportunity, nor was any punishment given, but the message was given to the sect that they should not cooperate. This message is very broad, but it remains to be seen how the Sikh Sangat will react to it.”

Dr. Amarjeet Singh says, “Of course, Akal Takht is the supreme institution, but there are many such decisions in history which the Sangat did not consider right and considered politically motivated.”

Amarjeet Singh says, “Sangat opposed General Dyer being given Saropa. Dyer had ordered firing at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919.”

Dr. Amarjeet Singh says that if any allegation is made against an Amritdhari Sikh, he is asked to appear before Akal Takht Sahib. But due to the mistake of a person who is not Amritdhari, a general order is issued against him. He is not called to appear before the Akal Takht.

He says, “Guru Gobind Singh started the practice of taking Amrit in 1699. Under this, if any Amritdhari disobeys the religion, he is asked to appear before the Takht but general orders are issued against other people. For example, an order was issued against Dera Sirsa chief Ram Rahim but he was not asked to appear before the Akal Takht.”

Paramjit Singh Judge, former professor and sociologist of Guru Nanak Dev University, considers this decision to be politically influenced.

He says, “There was a time when leftist leaders like Sohan Singh Josh were also members of SGPC, then SGPC had a wide reach, but now Sikh institutions are under the influence of Shiromani Akali Dal.”

Giani Kewal Singh, former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, says, “Nobody should be stubbornly religious, both the parties should sit and resolve the matter through talks.”

The controversy came to light in early January 2026, when Sri Akal Takht Sahib summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his alleged objectionable remarks regarding the Sikh code of conduct, the supremacy of the Akal Takht and “Guru ki Golak”.

The letter issued by Akal Takht also mentioned some objectionable videos related to Bhagwant Mann, in which he was accused of indulging in inappropriate activities with pictures of Sikh Gurus and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

On January 5, 2026, Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj issued an order to summon Bhagwant Mann.

Bhagwant Mann appeared before Akal Takht on 15 January 2026 and presented his case. He called the video fake. After this, the controversy deepened regarding investigation, forensic report and the decision of Akal Takht.

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding said in his Facebook post, “After forensic investigation of the alleged video on behalf of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhagwant Mann has been declared anti-sect and the Sikh community has been appealed to maintain distance from him.”

“After such a serious decision, Bhagwant Mann has lost his moral credibility. Respecting the supremacy, dignity and Sikh sentiments of Akal Takht Sahib, he should resign from the post of Chief Minister without any delay.”

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi said that it is the duty of every Sikh to protect traditional Sikh institutions.

He said, “Whatever decision comes from Akal Takht Sahib, it is the duty of every Sikh to bow before it. As Sikhs, we will follow it.”

After this announcement of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal raised questions on Bhagwant Mann.

He said that Bhagwant Maan went to Sri Akal Takht Sahib and lied that the video was prepared with AI, whereas upon investigation the video was found to be correct.

He said, “No Sikh can tolerate this. The Sikh community should take a tough decision on this and this Chief Minister does not have the right to remain in office even for a moment.”

Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.