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Mann Denies Video Accusations, Calls for Investigation
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly refuted allegations that he appeared in a video sprinkling alcohol on depictions of the ten Sikh Gurus and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The Akal Takht, the supreme religious authority, had claimed the footage was authentic, but Mann insists that the person in the video does not resemble him. He asserted that this was a calculated move to tarnish his political standing.
“It is possible that somebody paid a person resembling me and used him to create this video in order to defame me and damage me politically,” Mann remarked, suggesting the video might not be AI-generated but instead the work of an impersonator. He indicated his intent to request an investigation by Punjab's Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, to uncover the video's origins and the individuals behind it.
“The truth must come out. Who got this video made? On whose instructions was it prepared?”
Mann has taken steps to counter accusations that he undermines Sikh sentiments, highlighting his government’s initiatives to honor Sikh traditions, such as recognizing the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's sons and enacting robust anti-sacrilege laws. “I am a secular person and I respect all religions equally. But no one can question my commitment towards Sikhism,” he stated.
Akal Takht's Stance and Political Repercussions
Despite Mann's assurances, the Akal Takht maintains the video's validity, reinforcing their conclusion that it is genuine and unaltered. This assertion follows a resolution by the Sikh clergy that condemned Mann's actions as unacceptable. In a press conference, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal escalated his criticism, questioning Mann's shifting narratives regarding the video and implying that he is concealing something significant.
Badal pointed out that Mann previously claimed the video could be examined by any forensic lab, yet failed to respond when the Akal Takht requested suggestions for such labs. He noted that reports from independent laboratories, which the Punjab government later referenced, contradicted Mann's assertions. “The chief minister himself said that any laboratory could examine the video,” Badal emphasized, highlighting the inconsistencies in Mann's story.
Calls for Action and Unity
As tensions rise, Badal urged all political and religious factions to unite in protecting the dignity of the Sikh Gurus. He has also called on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to remove Mann from office, threatening a larger agitation if no action is taken within a month.
“If Arvind Kejriwal does not act against Mann within one month, the Shiromani Akali Dal will launch a Dharam Yudh Morcha,”Badal declared, drawing parallels to historical efforts to safeguard Sikh values.
In light of these developments, a committee will be formed under senior Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder to facilitate joint efforts with various groups aimed at addressing the situation. The ongoing controversy highlights the deep divisions within Punjab's political landscape, as leaders grapple with issues that resonate profoundly within the Sikh community.
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