‘Propaganda Against Me’: Bhagwant Mann Rejects Allegations After Akal Takht's 'Guru Dokhi' Verdict
‘Propaganda Against Me’: Bhagwant Mann Rejects Allegations After Akal Takht's 'Guru Dokhi' Verdict Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 12:39 IST Bhagwant Mann's response
‘Propaganda Against Me’: Bhagwant Mann Rejects Allegations After Akal Takht's 'Guru Dokhi' Verdict Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 12:39 IST Bhagwant Mann's response came after the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday declared the Punjab Chief Minister ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth virodhi’. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Bhagwant Mann row: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday responded to the verdict from the Jathedar of the Takht Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which had taken a strong position against him in connection with a controversial viral video, emphasising that he is not the person seen in the video that has triggered a major row. Responding to the religious body’s decision to declare him ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth Virodhi’, Mann said he had already appeared before the Akal Takht when summoned and clarified that the individual shown in the footage did not resemble him. “The man seen in the video is not me. His appearance and physical build do not match mine," Mann said in a video posted on X, dismissing the allegations and claiming that attempts were being made to defame him.
ਅਹਿਮ ਮੁੱਦੇ ‘ਤੇ, ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਤੋਂ LIVE ——- अहम मुद्दे पे, चंडीगढ़ से LIVE Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) June 16, 2026 Expressing disappointment over the developments, the Punjab chief minister said he was surprised that people occupying high religious positions were, in his view, promoting a false narrative. He alleged that a propaganda campaign was being run against him and that religion was being used for political purposes. The Chief Minister, however asserted that he has the highest respect for the Akal Takht. However, he alleged that certain politically appointed individuals and their patrons were targeting him because of decisions taken by his government in the interests of Punjab. According to Mann, some groups were unhappy with his efforts to protect Punjab’s water resources, support farmers and agriculture, and safeguard the future of the state’s youth. What’s The Row? Mann’s response came after the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday declared the Punjab Chief Minister ‘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. The controversy stems from a video in which a person resembling Mann was allegedly seen sprinkling alcohol on images of Sikh Gurus. While the chief minister had earlier claimed the video was AI-generated, the Akal Takht said forensic examinations by two laboratories found the footage to be authentic. 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 BriefWire