Prove it's a mask: Canada-based NRI challenges Bhagwant Mann as video row escalates

Canada-based Punjabi NRI Jagman Samra, in his latest video message, has rejected Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's claim that he orchestrated the controversial video using a hyper-realistic mask resembling the chief minister and challenged the state government to produce evidence supporting the allegation. The video in question purportedly shows a man resembling Mann engaging in objectionable activities involving images of Sikh Gurus.

Shortly after Mann's press conference on Thursday, where he called the controversial video a part of a political conspiracy to malign him and damage his image on religious grounds, Samra released a video statement stating that Mann's claims were "completely false" and accused the Punjab government of misleading the public.

The Canada-based NRI challenged the chief minister to back his allegations with evidence, asking him to explain where the alleged mask was procured and who paid for it. He argued that if such a mask had indeed been used, there should be a clear trail of evidence, including details of the seller, the buyer, the mode of payment and the identity of the person who allegedly wore it to record the video.

The Canada-based NRI also rejected Mann's claim that they had met only once, asserting that he and his family shared a close relationship with the chief minister.

Addressing a press conference in Mohali on Thursday, Mann said he had met Samra only once during his days in the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) before 2016 and denied having any personal association with him.

However, in his latest video statement, Samra disputed Mann's version, claiming that when the chief minister visited Canada, he had hosted and looked after him for up to seven days. He further alleged that Mann had visited his residence in a village in Punjab's Sangrur district on several occasions.

During the press conference, Punjab chief minister had also alleged that Samra was behind the circulation of the controversial video and described him as a "blackmailer" with a history of making such videos.

“Today I am exposing Jagman Samra. In the coming days I will also expose who financed him, who was behind him and who hatched this conspiracy,” Mann said.

The controversy intensified after Mann claimed that the person seen in the purportedly objectionable video was not him but someone wearing a mask resembling his face. Pointing to the absence of a surgical scar on the neck of the individual in the clip, Mann said the mark has been visible on his throat since childhood and that the video was part of a conspiracy to malign him.

The chief minister alleged that Samra had procured the mask and used another person to create the video in a hotel room in Canada. He also announced that the Punjab government would initiate the process of bringing Samra back to India through Interpol.

Mann has consistently denied being the person seen in the video. When he appeared before the Akal Takht in January this year, he had maintained that the clip was fake or AI-generated and had said it could be subjected to forensic examination.

The issue stems from an alleged objectionable video over which the Akal Takht had summoned Mann earlier this year for purported remarks regarding 'Guru ki Golak' and alleged objectionable activities involving pictures of Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Opposition parties have criticised Mann's latest explanation, describing it as a shifting narrative and an attempt to deflect attention from the controversy. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the chief minister was offering contradictory explanations, while Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused him of repeatedly changing his stand.

The row has triggered a political and social media storm, with supporters of both Mann and Samra rallying behind their respective positions.

So far, the Punjab government has not publicly released any forensic evidence to support its claim regarding the alleged use of a mask.

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