The North News
Chandigarh, January 5
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that he will personally appear before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15 acting on summons issued by the Sikh religious authority. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mann said he would attend “as a humble Sikh, not as the Chief Minister”, adding that the directive of the Akal Takht was “on my forehead”, a phrase signifying submission and respect. He said he would appear barefoot, in keeping with Sikh tradition.
The Chief Minister also sought forgiveness for January 15, citing a scheduling conflict due to the visit of the President of India to a conference at Guru Nanak Dev University. “For me, the most supreme is Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji, and its command was, is and will always remain paramount,” he wrote.
The summons was confirmed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, who said the Chief Minister had been asked to clarify his position over a series of statements and actions alleged to have hurt Sikh sentiments. Describing the matter as serious, the Jathedar said such conduct by a constitutional authority amounted to “political arrogance”. He added that, under Sikh tradition, ignoring directives of the Sri Akal Takht could carry significant religious consequences.
