Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday denied allegations linked to a viral video that allegedly shows disrespect to Sikh Guru images. He said the man seen in the clip is not him.
Mann said his political opponents are unable to take him on politically, so they are now trying to tarnish his image by dragging religion into the matter. He also said he has full respect for Sri Akal Takht and claimed that leaders from all three major political parties have joined hands to target him over the controversy.
Speaking at a press conference, Mann said his rivals were trying to defame him on religious grounds because they could not defeat him politically. He repeated that the person in the video was not him and said he would never challenge Sri Akal Takht.
The chief minister also criticised the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), asking why similar boycott posters were not put up against other political leaders.
Mann further claimed that the people behind the video and the masks used in it would soon be exposed. He said he has evidence connected to one of the main accused in the case.
"I want to ask the SGPC. They put up billboards calling for a boycott of Bhagwant Mann. Why weren't such billboards put up for Sukhbir Badal? Why weren't billboards displayed against him? I cannot challenge the Sri Akal Takht; I do not have the stature to do so. I stated in the video itself, that isn't me; that person is not me. Then they went after the lab technicians; the Congress, which fired shells at the Sri Akal Takht, joined hands with the opposition. I am going to Barnala today; I am going among the people, and I will continue to do so. Look at this video, see how a fake video was fabricated," Mann said.
Mann also raised questions about the mask allegedly used in the video and asked where it had been made. He claimed that Jagman Samra, whom he described as the main blackmailer, was seen carrying the mask and that his team has both pictures and video related to it. He further alleged that the same person had also prepared a mask of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.
A day earlier, SGPC member and advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka had demanded strict action in the case. He said an FIR should be registered over the alleged viral video.
Sialka said the incident was serious and could disturb peace in Punjab. He added that those responsible should not be let off. He also said the Governor, being the constitutional head of the state, has the power to step in if needed. He further suggested that even the Constitution could be amended if required to deal with such situations.
Also read: Mann video case: CCTV shows 2 Punjab cops visiting Gurugram hotel
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