Chandigarh: Three days before Bhagwant Mann has to appear before the Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, to explain his alleged “anti-Sikh” conduct, BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar highlighted a video which purportedly shows the Punjab Chief Minister disrespecting Sikh gurus.
In a two-page letter to the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Jakhar sought “immediate forensic verification” of the clip. He said if the video is found to be authentic, Mann has no right to continue as CM, and if the clip is fabricated, strict action must be taken against all persons responsible for creating and circulating it.
While there has been no reaction from the chief minister’s office, sources close to Mann dismissed the video as “AI-generated”, adding that it is part of the series of similar videos “released” by a non-resident Indian (NRI), named Jagman Samra, in October last year.
The video, showing a person indulging in highly objectionable conduct before a picture of the Sikh gurus and in front of a statue of slain Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, has been doing the rounds of social media for more than a week.
“The said video purportedly depicts the honorable chief minister of Punjab Shri Bhagwant Mann indulging in highly objectionable conduct and displaying gross disrespect towards the sacred image of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji,” Jakhar wrote to the DGP.
“The circulation of this video has deeply hurt religious sentiments, disturbed public harmony and caused widespread anguish among the people thereby adversely affecting the dignity and image of Punjab and Punjabis at the national as well as international level.”
In the videos released by Samra in October, the “chief minister” was purportedly shown in a room with some women. Samra had claimed they were genuine and he was ready to get them forensically examined for their authenticity.
Samra was booked by the Punjab police and the videos were pulled down from various social media accounts. While a press note of the government said that these videos were “AI generated”, the FIR states that these videos “may be” AI generated.
Akal Takht appearance
Mann is scheduled to appear before the Akal Takht on 15 January. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj told a press conference last week that Mann has been summoned to the Akal Takht secretariat to “explain” his alleged “anti- Sikh” conduct, while referring to the latest video among other things.
The Jathedar said the CM has been expressing anti-Sikh mindset and making repeated objectionable remarks in violation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct) while challenging the supreme authority of Akal Takht. He added that the CM has repeatedly questioned the principle of ‘Guru Ki Golak’ (monetary offerings to the guru) blessed by the Sikh Gurus, thereby deeply hurting Sikh sentiments.
Referring to the viral video, the Jathedar said the Akal Takht would get an investigation conducted into the authenticity of the video. He gave graphic details of the contents of the video, and said if found to be correct, it would invite the “strictest possible” action.
In his letter to the DGP, meanwhile, Jakhar referred to a recent controversy over a video of AAP leader and former Delhi chief minister Atishi’s statement in the Delhi Assembly.
The Jalandhar Police has booked BJP leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra for sharing the “tampered” video. Mishra had first posted Atishi’s video, and claimed she used “very vulgar and shameful language” when the House was honouring Sikh gurus.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira said in a post on X that the Punjab Police also booked him, his party colleague and Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh, Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and others for sharing Kapil Mishra’s video.
At a press conference Saturday Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said calling the video recorded inside the House “tampered” went against the dignity of the House.
He issued notices of breach of privileges to the Punjab DGP, DG State Cyber Cell and the Jalandhar police commissioner, and sought a reply within 48 hours. “We have also asked for the forensic laboratory reports that have declared the video as doctored in less than 24 hours,” said the speaker.
It is reliably learnt that the three officers have sought additional time to submit their responses.
“The Punjab police possess adequate forensic and cyber expertise to scientifically, transparently and expeditiously verify the authenticity of digital material. In the recent past a viral video pertaining to a former Chief Minister was forensically examined within a single day, therefore the authenticity of the present video (which purportedly shows Mann) can also be determined without delay,” Jakhar wrote, referring to the state government having declared Atishi’s video as “doctored”.
He said the people of Punjab cannot tolerate any act that dares to commit or propagate sacrilege of Sikhism or its revered symbols. “Therefore, the truth must be brought on record at the earliest in the larger interest of justice, communal harmony and the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Mann who said that he would appear before the Jathedar with “proofs” of what he has been alleging. He said that his entire meeting with Jathedar should be relayed live for everyone to watch.
ਪੂਰੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਚੋਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੁਨੇਹੇ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਨੇ ਕਿ 15 ਜਨਵਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਜਦੋਂ ਸੰਗਤ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਗੋਲਕ ਦਾ ਹਿਸਾਬ- ਕਿਤਾਬ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਵਾਂਗੇ..ਸਾਰੇ ਚੈਨਲਾਂ ਤੇ live telecast ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦੈ..ਮੈਂ ਵੀ ਦੁਨੀਆਂ ਭਰ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਦੀ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਜਥੇਦਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਪੱਸ਼ਟੀਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਰਣ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਕਿ…
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) January 8, 2026
Mann’s summoning by the Akal Takht comes at a time when his government has registered a police case over alleged discrepancies in the printing and distribution of 328 saroops (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib. Employees of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body that runs and manages Sikh historical gurudwaras, have been named in the case.
The SGPC termed the move a “dramatic” resurrection of a five-year-old religious issue by the Mann government to hit out at the Shiromani Akali Dal, to and damage its rising popularity. Mann rubbished the SGPC’s claims, saying his government had the right to investigate the case and take it to its logical conclusion.
On Monday, the Akal Takht Jathedar asked the SGPC to cooperate and if required allow the investigating officers to examine records available with the SGPC in the presence of the committee’s president.
At a press conference, the Jathedar said SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has been authorised to cooperate with the government in view of the “confusion being created among the sangat by some people”, and keeping in mind the larger Panthic interests.
“If the government requires any information from the SGPC for the purpose of investigation, the required information may be examined at the SGPC’s Chandigarh sub-office in the presence of the SGPC president,” the Jathedar said.
“Sri Akal Takht Sahib has already issued orders that no political party, organisation or individual should attempt to seek political mileage from this sensitive matter, and that the politics being done on it must be stopped, failing which strict action will be taken.”
It has been observed in recent days that on media, social media and web channel platforms, spokespersons of various parties, intellectuals and commentators, “while speaking about Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji are using extremely low-level analogies and language,” Jathedar Gargaj said.
Such crude terminology, whether used knowingly or unknowingly, is unbearable and unacceptable for Gursikhs, religious persons and devotees, he said.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib has issued strict directions to all Sikh scholars, personalities and intellectuals that until the outcome of this matter comes forth, no allegations or statements should be made against any party, individual or organisation, he said.
If such conduct continues, serious notice will be taken, the Jathedar added.
Responding to the orders issued by the Akal Takth, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that once contacted by the SIT, action will be taken in accordance with the spirit of the orders.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: Panthic tug-of-war: Akal Takht’s summon to Punjab CM Mann & case of the missing saroops