‘Bhagwant Mann Must Resign’: Why A 2025 Video Could Prove To Be Biggest Political Crisis For Punjab CM

Last Updated:June 16, 2026, 13:20 IST

While Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has rejected all allegations, the Akal Takht has termed the video authentic, calling Mann 'anti-Guru' and 'anti-community'

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is currently at the centre of what can be termed the biggest political and religious controversy of his career, following an objectionable viral video.

On June 15, the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of Sikhs—declared CM Mann ‘Guru Dhokhi’ (anti-Guru) and ‘Khalsa Panth Virodhi’ (anti-community) based on the footage.

Akal Takht calls video ‘authentic, untampered, and not AI-generated’

The video, which allegedly shows a man resembling CM Mann splashing alcohol near portraits of Sikh Gurus, was first uploaded and circulated on social media in October 2025 by a Canadian resident named Jagman Samra. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filed an FIR, and a Mohali court ordered social media platforms to remove the video.

In January 2026, the video resurfaced widely online, prompting the Sri Akal Takht Sahib—the highest temporal seat of Sikhs—to summon Mann for clarification. Mann appeared before the secretariat on January 15, 2026, maintaining that the video was a fabricated, AI-generated deepfake meant to defame him.

In June 2026, the same video triggered a major religious and political escalation. On June 15, 2026, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj announced that two government-recognized forensic laboratories examined the footage and concluded it was authentic, untampered, and not AI-generated. Consequently, the Akal Takht panel declared Mann “Guru-Dokhi" (anti-Guru) and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi".

What Bhagwant Mann said

On June 16, 2026, CM Bhagwant Mann strictly rejected the allegations. He stated that the individual in the viral video is not him, pointing out that the physical build, height, and facial features of the person in the video do not match his own. He further stated that he is shocked by how high-ranking religious positions are being used as political pawns against him.

“Recently, the ‘jathedar’ of Sri Akal Takht Sahib issued certain statements concerning me, based on a specific video, saying that the video is not AI-generated or doctored. When I was summoned to Akal Takht Sahib, I clarified that I do not feature in that video at all, and the person in that video bears no resemblance to me. Yet, I am astonished at how individuals holding such exalted religious offices are engaging in false propaganda at the behest of their political masters, spreading malicious disinformation solely to defame me… Religion is being exploited… While I consider Sri Akal Takht Sahib supreme, the entire ‘Sangat’ is well aware of the nature of the decisions being handed down by those who hold these politically motivated appointments there. Therefore, I categorically and completely reject the authenticity of that video. The attempts to defame me, or rather, these petty tactics, orchestrated by the political masters of the administrators sitting at Akal Takht Sahib, are absolutely wrong…"

The action

The Akal Takht has called upon the Sikh community to maintain a social distance or boycott the Chief Minister.

Alongside the ruling, the Akal Takht has summoned all Sikh MLAs across all political parties in Punjab, as well as the Punjab Cabinet, to appear before it on June 29, 2026, regarding the anti-sacrilege law.

‘Bhagwant Mann must resign’: The political controversy

Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said in a statement, “Akal Takht Sahib is the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, and every directive issued by it is respected and accepted by the community members. When the Akal Takht declares a person ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth Virodhi’, it carries serious social and moral consequences. In such circumstances, Sikh ministers and officials serving within the Punjab government may also find themselves in an uncomfortable position. The situation could potentially affect the government’s administrative functioning and decision-making process, which is not in the interest of a border state like Punjab."

Considering the seriousness of the matter, Mann should accept moral responsibility and immediately resign from his office, Dhillon said.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also sought Mann’s resignation and said the chief minister must break his silence on the matter. “The people of Punjab are waiting for your answers over some serious charges. The Akal Takht is the supreme temporal authority for every Sikh. Its decisions are binding on everyone. Since its acting jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, has declared the video as authentic after verification by two separate forensic laboratories, Mann must resign immediately as a mark of respect to the Akal Takht, and respecting the sensitivities involved with the matter," Warring said.

“When the chief minister can enact a stringent law against sacrilege, he must set an example that he practices what he preaches. Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion," he added.

With agency inputs

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