Akal Takht labels Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann anti-Panth, anti-Guru
Chandigarh, June 15: Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj, declaring Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann anti-Panth and anti-Guru, summoned Sikh ministers and MLAs to Akal Takht Sahib on June 29. Apart from this, a decision has been given to seek clarification from non-Sikh ministers of the cabinet. Akal Takht has also summoned all Sikh MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party who supported sacrilege laws.
After ordering an investigation into the alleged alcohol video of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a meeting of five Sikh leaders at the Akal Takht Sahib on Monday evening, the Jathedar announced this decision from the Fasil (rampart) of the Akal Takht Secretariat.
Following the meeting, Jathedar Gadgaj stated in the Fasil that after the forensic lab report on the viral video arrived, Sikhs collectively called for action. Following this, the Singh Sahibs from the five Sikh Takhts met to discuss the issue and decided to label Mann as anti-Guru and anti-Khalsa.
The Jathedar declared that the entire Khalsa Panth and those who carry the name of the Guru should no longer speak to Chief Minister Mann. The Akal Takht Sahib also summoned all Sikh MLAs from the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab who signed the Mann government’s sacrilege law, which the Akal Takht Sahib had declared invalid.
On January 15, 2026, Chief Minister Mann was summoned to the Akal Takht Sahib to present his explanation on this issue. Following this, the Akal Takht decided to have the viral video examined by a lab, and on Monday, the Jathedar read out the investigation report.
Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj stated that the Punjab government recently introduced the Satkar Act, but no Panthic organization was consulted on the matter. A meeting of the Panth was convened on April 6, 2026, and the Panth stated that it would not accept the law. Despite this, the law was passed. This government law is against the Panth. It will weaken the Panth and lead to interference in Panthic affairs, whereas our rules and regulations are determined by the Akal Takht Sahib.
The Jathedar stated that the Panth had summoned Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and given him 15 days to discuss the law. He added that no response was received, so a meeting was held today to decide on further action.
Regarding the controversial viral video, Akal Takht Jathedar said, “We initially sent a letter requesting that this video be examined by an independent and accredited lab. At that time, an investigation was not conducted. Afterward, we took the initiative and had the video examined by two major Indian labs.” Akal Takht Jathedar Gadgaj stated that after the forensic lab report, Sikhs collectively called for action. Subsequently, a meeting of five Singh Sahibans discussed the matter, and a decision was made to label Bhagwant Singh a traitor to the Guru and an enemy of the Khalsa Panth. “Now, the entire Khalsa Panth and those who take the Guru’s name should not confront the Chief Minister,” he said.
