Viral video row concerns Silh religious sentiments, not politics: Sunil Jakhar
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 24, 2026: Senior BJP leader and former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday said that the controversy surrounding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s viral video is not a political issue but a matter linked to the religious sentiments of the Nanak Naam Leva Sangat.
In a social media post, Jakhar alleged that the core issue was the challenge being posed to the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He said it was a matter of serious concern that an individual accused of disrespecting the Guru Sahiban continued to hold office in Punjab, a land deeply rooted in Sikh faith and traditions.
Jakhar stated that if such issues were ignored, it would weaken the community’s ability to respond to challenges faced by Sikhism across the world. He questioned whether the Sikh community could tolerate any challenge to the supremacy of the Guru and Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Drawing a parallel with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Jakhar said that if Bhagwant Mann wished to leave the matter to public judgment, he should resign and seek a fresh mandate from the people.
Referring to Sikh teachings, Jakhar said that Sikhs follow the principle of upholding honour and principles above all else and asserted that no public office could shield anyone from accountability for actions perceived as disrespectful to the faith.
The BJP leader further remarked that for Sikhs, there is no authority above the Guru and expressed confidence that justice would ultimately prevail through the Guru Sahib and the Sangat.
Jakhar also alleged that the Punjab Chief Minister had become “intoxicated by power” and was challenging Sri Akal Takht Sahib despite being fully aware of Punjab’s religious history and traditions. He claimed that history showed that those who confronted the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib ultimately faced political and moral setbacks.
The remarks come amid continuing political and religious debate over the viral video and its alleged implications for Sikh sentiments.