AAP faces Punjab turmoil year before polls as Akal Takht declares Mann ‘anti-Guru’
Forensic tests validate controversial video, casting a shadow over AAP's 2027 Punjab assembly election prospects
In a blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, which is scheduled for assembly elections next year, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, has declared Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann “anti-Guru” and asked the community to shun him.
The controversy dates back to early this year when a video emerged in which a man resembling Mann could be seen sprinkling alcohol on images of Sikh gurus.
He also allegedly made some objectionable remarks about Guru Ki Golak, the donation box kept in Gurdwaras where Sikh devotees voluntarily contribute money.
Row over video
The Takht summoned Mann on January 15, and he denied all accusations against him. He said his remarks had been misconstrued and the video was AI-generated.
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However, on Monday (June 15), the Takht announced that they had sent the video clip for forensic tests and it was found to be genuine. An urgent meeting of the five Singh Sahibs (high priests) was conducted, and Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj announced the verdict.
“We asked the chief minister about the video and he claimed it was AI-generated. We asked him to give us proof but received no response for six months. We then had the video examined by two government-recognised laboratories, which revealed that the video is neither fake nor AI-generated,” Gargaj said.
AAP’s counter
He added that the panth (the Sikh community) took action and reached a decision, holding Mann guilty of sacrilege. The Jathedar said Mann had lied to the Akal Takht and he has been declared Guru dokhi (anti-Guru) and Khalsa panth virodhi (against Sikh religion).
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“Sikhs have no expectations from the chief minister, and the ‘panth’ and followers of the Guru should shun him,” he added.
The AAP has argued that the tests did not reveal whether the man in the video was indeed Mann.
The party won big in the Punjab civic polls last month, but this comes a fresh blow a year before the assembly elections.