Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gargaj speaks to the gathering, announcing Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann as “Guru Dokhi, Khalsa Panth Virodhi” (hostile towards the Guru, opposed to the Khalsa Panth), in Amritsar on Monday (June 15, 2026).
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Sikh clergy at Akal Takht – the highest Sikh temporal seat on Monday (June 15, 2026) declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann “Guru Dokhi” (a betrayer of the Guru) and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi” (an opponent of Khalsa (Sikh) Panth), citing allegations that he made false statements in connection with a reportedly objectionable video involving him.
The decision was taken unanimously by the five Sikh high priests (Sikh clergy), which was officially announced from the Akal Takht podium. After the meeting in Amritsar, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj pronouncing the edict, said that the video across social media platforms, which allegedly shows a person resembling Mr. Mann was confirmed as authentic by two forensic laboratories.
Mr. Garjaijj noted that in January this year, after Mr. Mann had publicly said he was open to a forensic probe of the video, the Akal Takht secretariat wrote to him surrounding the issue, but no reply was ever received. “Following this, the Akal Takht secretariat decided to get the video tested by two labs,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s post is respectable, but Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann lied before the Akal Takht regarding the video,” asserted Mr. Gargajj.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu, meanwhile, said “After losing the trust of the people and facing repeated electoral defeats, the ‘Badal’ family and Shiromani Akali Dal have dragged revered Sikh institutions into their political battle in a desperate bid to regain relevance.”
Dismissing the forensic reports, he said “The so-called forensic report being used to target CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has failed to establish even the identity of the person seen in the video.” He alleged that it was another failed attempt by Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia (SAD leaders) to defame the Chief Minister.
The opposition parties though, sharpened their attack on the Chief Minister, demanding his resignation from the post.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon said considering the seriousness of the matter, the Chief Minister should accept moral responsibility and immediately resign from his office.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, asked Mr. Mann so resign. “Mr. Mann must also break his silence on the matter. People of Punjab are waiting for your answers over such serious charges”, he said.
Published – June 15, 2026 07:49 pm IST
