'Not me in video': Bhagwant Mann rejects Akal Takht edict
What's the story
Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann has rejected the authenticity of a viral video, claiming it is "false propaganda" to defame him. In a video message on social media platform X, he said, "The person in the video neither matches my height nor build." "A false narrative is being created against me because the political bosses of the Akal Takht management want to defame me," he said.
Religious edict
Mann summoned to Akal Takht Sahib
On Monday, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, has declared Mann "Guru Dhokhi" (anti-Guru) and "Khalsa Panth Virodhi" (anti-community) based on the footage. The video, allegedly showing a man resembling CM Mann pouring alcohol near Sikh Gurus' portraits, was first shared online in October 2025 by Canadian resident Jagman Samra. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lodged an FIR and a Mohali court ordered the video to be taken down from social media platforms.
Political manipulation
Sri Akal Takht Sahib summoned Mann
In January 2026, the Sri Akal Takht Sahib summoned Mann for clarification after the video resurfaced. He was questioned by Sangh Sahib about the alleged viral video but maintained that it was fabricated. The chief minister had also proposed that a forensic examination be conducted on the video to verify its authenticity. On Monday, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj announced two forensic labs confirmed the video's authenticity. The video was neither tinkered with nor AI-generated, he said.
Video verification
'They are getting very nervous about my work'
Consequently, the Akal Takht panel declared him "Guru-Dokhi" (anti-Guru) and "Khalsa Panth Virodhi." However, Mann insists that the person in the video is not him. "I am surprised how people sitting on such a high temporal seat of the Sikhs can work on the directions of their political bosses...They are getting very nervous about the work I am doing to save Punjab's farming, its waters and its youth. They are now using Sikh religion for political gains," he said.