‘Not me’: Punjab CM denies that he is the person in a video that provoked the wrath of the Akal Takht
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann addresses a press conference, in Chandigarh, Punjab, on June 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) denied allegations that he is the person in a controversial video that hurt Sikh sentiments, a day after the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht declared him ‘Guru dokhi’ (anti-Guru) and ‘Khalsa Panth virodhi’ (anti-Khalsa Panth). The Akal Takht is the highest seat of temporal authority for the Sikh community. Dismissing the video as “fake”, Mr. Mann said “a malicious and politically motivated conspiracy” was being executed at the behest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to defame him and derail his Aam Aadmi Party-led government’s pro-people decisions. ‘Smear campaign’ Describing the episode as a desperate attempt by vested interests rattled by the government’s tough anti-beadbi (sacrilege) legislation and pro-Punjab decisions, the Chief Minister said certain politically influenced functionaries were being used to spread false propaganda against him. Mr. Mann said that while he holds Akal Takht Sahib in the highest esteem and …









