Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) denied allegations that he is the person in a controversial video that hurt Sikh sentiments, a day after the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht declared him ‘Guru dokhi’ (anti-Guru) and ‘Khalsa Panth virodhi’ (anti-Khalsa Panth).
The Akal Takht is the highest seat of temporal authority for the Sikh community.
Dismissing the video as “fake”, Mr. Mann said “a malicious and politically motivated conspiracy” was being executed at the behest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to defame him and derail his Aam Aadmi Party-led government’s pro-people decisions.
Describing the episode as a desperate attempt by vested interests rattled by the government’s tough anti-beadbi (sacrilege) legislation and pro-Punjab decisions, the Chief Minister said certain politically influenced functionaries were being used to spread false propaganda against him.
Mr. Mann said that while he holds Akal Takht Sahib in the highest esteem and bows before its authority with utmost reverence, he will continue to take bold decisions in the interest of Punjab, irrespective of the smear campaigns being unleashed against him.
Opposition parties, however, continued to sharpen their attack on the Chief Minister.
Punjab’s Leader of Opposition, Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa, said, “Respect for Sri Akal Takht Sahib is a matter of faith and deep sentiment for Sikhs across the world. The declaration against Bhagwant Mann is an extremely serious issue, not a routine political controversy. Instead of showing humility and sensitivity, the CM chose confrontation. Sikh institutions deserve respect, and accountability must prevail over arrogance.”
BJP national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh added: “The office of Chief Minister demands integrity, humility and reverence for the faith and sentiments of the people. Once the highest religious authority of the Sikh Panth itself has pronounced such a grave indictment, Bhagwant Mann no longer possesses even an iota of moral legitimacy to continue in office.”
Published - June 16, 2026 03:15 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
