Opposition parties in Punjab intensified their criticism of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after he was declared 'Guru Dokhi' by Sikh clergy over an alleged objectionable video. On Wednesday, BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju demanded that an FIR be registered in the case.
The controversy dates back to January when Mann was summoned by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs. He was accused of making remarks about 'Guru ki Golak' and allegedly engaging in objectionable conduct in a video that featured images of Sikh Gurus and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Since the Akal Takht issued its edict, opposition parties have been demanding Mann's resignation. The directive was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj from the Akal Takht in Amritsar on Monday.
The Jathedar also urged members of the Sikh community not to maintain any association with Mann. He accused the chief minister of making false claims regarding the disputed video, which allegedly hurt Sikh sentiments.
According to Gargajj, two forensic laboratories examined the video and found it to be genuine. He said the footage showed no signs of tampering and was not generated using artificial intelligence.
Mann, however, rejected the allegations on Tuesday. He maintained that the person seen in the video was not him.
The chief minister also questioned why individuals holding top positions in religious institutions were "indulging in false propaganda at the behest of their political bosses" to defame him.
Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju wrote to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, urging him to order the registration of an FIR. He cited the Akal Takht's findings that the video was authentic.
In his letter, Raju said "It is widely reported in the media that the respected Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib has publicly stated that forensic examinations commissioned by the Akal Takht have found a highly blasphemous video featuring Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab, to be authentic," alleged Raju in a letter to the governor.
He requested immediate legal action under the relevant laws and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Raju also argued that since Punjab Police reports to Mann as Home Minister, the case should be handed over to the CBI to ensure an impartial probe.
BJP MP and national general secretary Tarun Chugh said Mann no longer has the moral authority to remain chief minister after being declared 'Guru Dokhi' by the Akal Takht.
Chugh questioned how Mann could continue to lead Punjab if the highest Sikh authority had found him responsible for hurting religious sentiments. He also accused Mann of misleading people by claiming that the video was fake and AI-generated.
Chugh demanded that the chief minister step down from his post immediately.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said the Akal Takht Sahib is the highest and most respected institution of the Sikh community.
In a post on X, Randhawa said “No one can tarnish its glory, no matter how high a position one may occupy. Every position is small before the highest institution of the 'Panth' and every Sikh bows his head.”
He added that "I am a Gursikh before becoming a Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur. For me, it is not my position, but my devotion to the Guru Ghar and my respect for Sri Akal Takht Sahib that is the greatest. Whenever there is an order from the highest body of the Panth, every position and every political identity becomes small in front of it.”
Also read: SGPC member seeks Mann's resignation over controversial video
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