'It Doesn't Belong To Me': Bhagwant Mann On Viral Video After Akal Takht Rejects AI Claim

Last Updated:June 16, 2026, 22:09 IST

Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann calls viral video "fake", alleges a political campaign by Sukhbir Singh Badal and SGPC to defame him, vows to protect Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday dismissed a video being circulated in his name as fake and alleged that a politically motivated campaign was underway to defame him and undermine his government’s initiatives.

He claimed the effort was being orchestrated at the behest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, with the involvement of certain politically influenced individuals.

Mann said the campaign gained momentum after his government introduced stringent anti-beadbi (sacrilege) legislation and took several decisions aimed at protecting Punjab’s interests. Despite the controversy, he reiterated his commitment to safeguarding Punjab’s “Paani, Jawani, Kisani and Bani" and said he would not be deterred by attempts to damage his reputation.

Backing the Punjab CM, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal said, “Opponents, rattled by the good work being done by Bhagwant Mann, are trying to defame him by spreading falsehoods."

In a post on X, Mann accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) leadership of acting in a partisan manner. He wrote, “The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has openly become a propagandist for the Akali Dal. The only thing left now is to get a directive issued through the Jathedar Sahib saying, ‘Vote for Sukhbir Badal, otherwise the Panth is in danger.’ Such a decision could be taken at any time."

Addressing the controversy in a video message, Mann said, “The video does not belong to me and I had already clarified this before the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib." Referring to the directive issued by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It had been claimed that the video belonged to him and was not AI-generated."

He added, “However, when I was summoned, I made it clear before the Jathedar Sahib that the person shown in the video is not me."

The CM asserted that the individual featured in the video did not resemble him and accused his opponents of spreading misinformation for political gain. “Neither the physical build nor the appearance of the person shown in the video matches me, yet false and misleading propaganda is being spread to damage my reputation," he said.

Mann also expressed concern over what he described as the misuse of religion for political purposes. “Religion is being misused to target me politically. Such attempts are completely unfortunate and unacceptable," he said.

Reaffirming his faith in Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Mann stated, “I have always considered Sri Akal Takht Sahib as the supreme temporal authority and bow before it with utmost humility and devotion."

Appealing to the Sikh community not to be influenced by misinformation, he said, “I urge the Nanak Naam Leva Sangat not to fall prey to such misleading and malicious propaganda. The final verdict will always rest with the Sangat and the people."

The Punjab CM reiterated, “As long as I have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving Punjab, I will continue taking decisions in favour of Punjab, its rights and its people."

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