4 minute readChandigarhJune 16, 2026 01:51 PM (IST)
A day after Akal Takht Jathedar Jani Kuldeep Singh Gargazi declared Bhagwant Mann as ‘pant da doki’ (enemy of Sikh pant) rejected his claim Punjab’s chief minister launched a sharp response on Tuesday, accusing religious authorities of acting on the dictates of political interests, following reports that a controversial video circulating on social media was generated by AI.
The Akal Takht verdict was announced amid an escalating conflict between Sikh clerics and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the recently enacted blasphemy law. Jathedar maintained that the video in question was genuine and not the creation of AI, while also criticizing Mann’s comments regarding the functioning of Sikh religious institutions.
The development assumed political significance days after AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal formally declared Mann as the party’s chief ministerial face for the upcoming assembly elections, marking the start of the party’s second consecutive term in Punjab.
In response to Akal Takht’s observations, Mann reiterated in a video message that the person seen in the controversial video is not him. “When I appeared before the Jathedar, I declared that the person seen in the video is not me. Neither my height nor physique matches that person,” Mann said.
The Prime Minister expressed his disappointment at the developments, saying he was “shocked that people in such high positions would be saying things like this at the behest of their political superiors.” He added that he has consistently raised issues related to farmers, youth and river water in Punjab.
However, Mann reiterated his respect for Sikhism’s side. “I bow before Shri Akal Takht Sahib. I believe that Akal Takht is supreme. But the Sikh Sangat knows very well how political appointments are made there,” he said.
Mann described the video as disgusting, describing it as “kozhi harkat” (a despicable and despicable act) and claiming it was part of a campaign orchestrated by political opponents.
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“Punjab lives in my heart. I am working day and night for the nation. These dastardly acts are being carried out on the orders of political bosses,” he said.
Popularity of anti-blasphemy law worries opponents: Mann
The chief minister linked the controversy to the Punjab government’s recent anti-sacred law, claiming its popularity had upset the opposition.
“When we realized that people appreciated the blasphemy law brought by our government, they could not digest it because they themselves could not enact such a law.Earlier, Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SG PC chiefs and Akal Takht were asking why the government is not bringing such a bill. Now that we have brought the bill, they are questioning it. This shows that their decisions are changing day by day,” he said.
Mann also questioned the consistency of the actions taken by Sikh religious authorities, although he did not name anyone, although he was clearly referring to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders.
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“Guru Nanak Naam Reva Sangat knows how decisions are taken and how amnesties are granted. Some leaders came before the Akal Takht and admitted their mistakes, including firing on protesters. The police officers involved were later promoted and given election tickets. A few days later, the police withdrew their confessions, but no action was taken against them,” he said.
Mann claimed that although no such action was taken in these cases, a campaign was now being waged against him. “They are indulging in propaganda against me. I would like to tell the people of Punjab not to believe in such things. I will continue to take decisions in the interest of the nation.”
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