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The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth virodhi’ over an objectionable video.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (IMAGE: PTI FILE)
The Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth virodhi’, accusing him of lying regarding an objectionable video.
The Akal Takht is the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs. The pronouncement was made by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj from the ‘faseel’ (podium of the Akal Takht) after the ‘five Singh Sahiban’ (Sikh clergy) held a meeting in Amritsar.
The clergy also summoned all Sikh MLAs, irrespective of party affiliation, and the Punjab Cabinet before the Akal Takht on June 29 in connection with an anti-sacrilege law.
What Happened?
In January, Mann had been summoned by the Akal Takht in connection with objectionable remarks made about Sikh devotees. It also questioned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader about a video in which a person resembling him was seen sprinkling alcohol on images of Sikh gurus.
The Chief Minister had denied the accusation, saying the video was AI-generated and should be investigated.
However, the Akal Takht said the video was found to be “authentic” by two forensic laboratories, showing that it was not AI-generated. He further said the Akal Takht secretariat had written to the chief minister in January after Mann announced that he was open to a forensic examination of the video; however, they did not receive any response.
“A position of chief minister is respectable. But chief minister Bhagwant Singh (Mann) lied at the Akal Takht (about the video),” claimed Gargajj. The five Singh Sahibans declared the chief minister as ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth Virodhi’, he said.
Regarding the anti-sacrilege law, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, Gargajj said Sikh MLAs, irrespective of their party, and the Punjab Cabinet must appear before the Akal Takht on June 29.
The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13. It includes a provision for stricter punishment, including life imprisonment for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
Congress, SAD Demand Mann’s Resignation
Several political parties demanded Bhagwant Mann’s resignation after the Akal Takht’s pronouncement. Taking to X, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said Mann had no moral right to continue as Chief Minister.
“All the Sikh members included in this government and the ruling party should immediately resign from their respective positions, following the order given by Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” he said.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਮਹਾਨ ਹੈਸਿੱਖ ਪੰਥ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੈ 🙏ਕੁੱਝ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਭਗਵੰਤ ਮਾਨ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸਾਡੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਕੌਮ ਦੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਤ ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਭਿੰਡਾਂਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਘੋਰ ਨਿਰਾਦਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਕੋਝੀਆਂ, ਸ਼ਰਮਨਾਕ ਅਤੇ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਮੁਆਫ਼ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਣਯੋਗ ਬੱਜਰ ਗੁਨਾਹਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਇੱਕ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਵਾਇਰਲ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ।ਜਿਸਦਾ… pic.twitter.com/q1OPmyzKuB
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) June 15, 2026
Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also sought Mann’s resignation on moral grounds after the videos were declared authentic. BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon said no Sikh individual serving in the Punjab government should associate with Mann and demanded his immediate resignation.
On the other hand, the AAP said even if the video is genuine, the person seen was not Bhagwant Mann.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int…Read More
Chandigarh, India, India
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