Breaking: Sir Akal Takht summons Punjab Cabinet, Sikh MLAs over alleged CM Mann video
Kulwinder Singh
Amritsar (Punjab), June 15, 2026: Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Monday announced that all Sikh MLAs, irrespective of their political affiliations, along with the entire Punjab Cabinet, have been summoned to Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29.
Addressing a press conference, the Jathedar said the date coincides with the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and called upon Sikh legislators from all political parties to appear before the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.
Giani Gargaj asserted that no government has the authority to legislate on matters concerning the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Panth. He maintained that issues relating to Sikh religious affairs fall within the domain of the Panth and its institutions.
The Jathedar also criticised reported discussions regarding gurdwara golaks (donation boxes), challenging the Punjab Government to interfere in the management of Sikh religious institutions. He said the Sikh community fully understood what he described as attempts to encroach upon Panthic affairs and warned against any move affecting gurdwara autonomy.
During the press conference, Giani Gargaj renewed allegations surrounding a purported viral video allegedly linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Referring to a complaint previously submitted to the Akal Takht, he claimed that the Chief Minister had described the video as fabricated and blamed it on modern technology.
The Jathedar further alleged that despite repeated requests made since January, the Punjab Government had neither recommended a forensic laboratory nor initiated any examination of the video. He claimed that forensic examinations conducted through agencies engaged by Sri Akal Takht Sahib had concluded that the video was genuine.
According to Giani Gargaj, the Akal Takht had taken serious notice of the matter. He alleged that the contents of the video had hurt Sikh sentiments and claimed that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had declared Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann a "Panth Dokhi" in connection with the controversy. He also appealed to the Guru Nanak Naam Leva Sangat to take note of the Akal Takht's position on the issue.
The Jathedar's remarks are expected to further intensify the ongoing confrontation between the Punjab Government and Sikh religious leadership, with the controversy likely to remain a major political and religious issue in the state in the coming days.
No immediate response from the Punjab Government was available following the press conference.