CHANDIGARH: A day after Akal Takht (Highest Temporal Seat of Sikhs) acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj alleged that the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has offended the Guru (Guru Dokhi) and displayed anti-community behavior over an purportedly objectionable viral video, and asked the Sikh Panth (community) to shun ties with him.
A defiant Mann said that the person in the controversial video was not him and added that religion is being misused to target him politically. He went on to say that people occupying such high religious positions are allowing themselves to become instruments of political agendas and false propaganda.
Mann rejected a video being attributed to him and pointed out that 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 the his 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, Mann said certain politically influenced functionaries were being used to spread false propaganda against him.
He asserted that while he holds Akal Takht Sahib in the highest esteem and bows before its authority with utmost reverence, he would continue to take bold decisions in the interest of Punjab’s Paani, Jawani, Kisani and Bani, irrespective of the smear campaigns being unleashed against him.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: "The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has openly become a propagandist for the Akali Dal. The only thing left now is to get a directive issued through the Jathedar Sahib saying, ‘Vote for Sukhbir Badal, otherwise the Panth is in danger.’ Such a decision could be taken at any time."
In a video message, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, "The video does not belong to me and I had already clarified this before the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib," he said while addressing the Punjabis across the globe.
Referring to the directive issued by the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "It had been claimed that the video belonged to him and was not AI-generated. However, when I was summoned, I made it clear before the Jathedar Sahib that the person shown in the video is not me."
He further stated, "Neither the physical build nor the appearance of the person shown in the video matches me, yet false and misleading propaganda is being spread to damage my reputation."
Expressing concern over the issue, Mann said, "I am surprised that people occupying such high religious positions are allowing themselves to become instruments of political agendas and false propaganda. A deliberate campaign is being carried out to malign my image because some people cannot tolerate the decisions being taken by my government for safeguarding Punjab’s Paani, Jawani, Kisani and Bani (protecting waters, protecting the teachings of the Guru Sahiban, strengthening agriculture and securing the future of Punjab’s youth)."
He said, "Religion is being misused to target me politically. Such attempts are completely unfortunate and unacceptable."
Reaffirming his deep faith and reverence for Akal Takht Sahib, CM Mann said, "I have always considered Sri Akal Takht Sahib as the supreme temporal authority and bow before it with utmost humility and devotion. The very thought of challenging its authority is beyond imagination and I have never deviated from this belief. Neither I nor generations of my family can ever imagine challenging Akal Takht Sahib."
He said that these decisions are not acceptable to certain vested interests and, therefore, attempts were being made to tarnish his image through such tactics.
Pointing out that a propaganda campaign was being run against him at the behest of political masters, the Chief Minister said, "Everyone knows how political appointments and decisions are made in these bodies," he said.
Mann stated, "Sikh Sangat is fully aware of how certain politically appointed functionaries take decisions under external influence. I completely reject this video and the attempts being made to defame me through such false allegations."
Referring to his efforts to bring legislation against beadbi, Mann said, "Now that the people have welcomed the anti-beadbi laws brought by our government, some vested interests have become uncomfortable. Ironically, the same people who earlier questioned why such laws were not being enacted are now questioning why they have been enacted."
He said, "Earlier they used to ask why the government was not bringing a law against beadbi. When the government enacted the law, they started questioning why it was enacted without consulting them and even declared that they would not accept it. This clearly reflects the contradictions in their stand."
Mann further said, "The Guru Nanak Naam Leva Sangat is fully aware of how decisions have been taken in the past. People have seen how some individuals have been forgiven without even seeking pardon and how, in other cases, forgiveness has later been withdrawn."
"The people have also witnessed how certain individuals admitted before Akal Takht Sahib that beadbi incidents had taken place, that police firing had occurred and that officials facing allegations had been given appointments and political patronage, only to retract those statements a few days later. Yet there appears to be no intent to take decisive action against them," he added.
Appealing to the Sangat, the Chief Minister said, "I urge the Nanak Naam Leva Sangat not to fall prey to such misleading and malicious propaganda. The final verdict will always rest with the Sangat and the people."
The Chief Minister reiterated, "As long as I have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving Punjab, I will continue taking decisions in favour of Punjab, its rights and its people."