Chandigarh, June 16
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday strongly rejected a controversial video circulated in his name describing it as fake and a part of politically motivated campaign aimed at tarnishing his image and undermining his government’s pro-people initiatives. Alleging a conspiracy orchestrated at the behest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mann said vested interests unsettled by the state government’s anti-sacrilege (beadbi) legislation and other Punjab centric decisions were attempting to spread misinformation against him.
The Chief Minister asserted that while he holds Sri Akal Takht Sahib in the highest regard and bows before its authority with utmost reverence, he would continue to take decisions in the interest of Punjab’s water resources, youth, farmers and religious heritage, regardless of attempts to malign him.
In a post on X, Mann accused the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of acting as a spokesperson for the Akali Dal. He alleged that political interests were influencing religious institutions and decisions.
Addressing Punjabis through a video message, Mann reiterated that the viral video did not belong to him and said he had already clarified the matter before the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
“It was claimed that the video was mine and not AI-generated. However, when I appeared before the Jathedar Sahib, I clearly stated that the individual shown in the video is not me,” Mann said.
He added that neither the physical appearance nor the build of the person in the video matched his own, yet efforts were being made to damage his reputation through what he termed false propaganda.
Expressing concern over the controversy, Mann said it was unfortunate that individuals occupying important religious positions were being drawn into political narratives. He claimed a deliberate campaign was being waged against him because some groups were uncomfortable with the government’s decisions aimed at protecting Punjab’s interests.
“Religion is being misused to target me politically. Such attempts are unfortunate and unacceptable,” he said.
Reaffirming his faith in Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Mann said he had always regarded it as the supreme temporal authority of the Sikh community and had never questioned its sanctity or authority.
The Chief Minister linked the controversy to the government’s recently enacted anti-sacrilege legislation, saying the law had received widespread public support but had made certain vested interests uneasy.
He alleged that critics who had previously demanded stricter laws against sacrilege were now questioning the government’s decision to enact such legislation.
Mann also referred to past controversies involving religious and political decisions, claiming the public was fully aware of how certain matters had been handled in previous years.
Appealing to the Sikh Sangat, he urged people not to be misled by what he described as a malicious propaganda campaign.
“The final verdict will always rest with the Sangat and the people,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment to Punjab, Mann said he would continue working for the welfare of the state and take decisions aimed at protecting Punjab’s rights and interests for as long as he remained entrusted with public office.
