SAD Working Committee demands CM Mann’s resignation, accuses him of challenging authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 19, 2026: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Working Committee on Friday strongly criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of challenging the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
The Working Committee meeting, chaired by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, passed a resolution condemning the Chief Minister’s recent statements and demanded his immediate resignation.
Addressing the media after the meeting, senior SAD leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said the Working Committee expressed concern over what it termed as attempts by the Chief Minister to question the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in public forums.
“The Working Committee feels that the Chief Minister has hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs and is creating divisions within the community. There is a strong sentiment among the Sikh community regarding his conduct and subsequent statements,” Dr. Cheema said.
The committee also alleged that the Chief Minister was attempting to defend himself by presenting laboratory reports after Sri Akal Takht Sahib had reportedly examined the matter and expressed its views.
Dr. Cheema said the Working Committee believed that Bhagwant Mann no longer had the moral authority to continue in office and therefore sought his resignation.
Later, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal held a separate meeting with members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), during which the issue was also discussed.
According to party leaders, SGPC members expressed concern over the controversy surrounding a video allegedly linked to the Chief Minister and criticized his claim that the video had been generated using Artificial Intelligence.
They maintained that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had sought verification of the matter only after the Chief Minister allegedly failed to provide clarification over several months.
The Working Committee also reviewed the party’s organisational restructuring programme, with special emphasis on the formation of booth-level committees across Punjab.
Sukhbir Singh Badal directed party leaders to complete the organisational exercise within the next fortnight to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.
Apart from religious and organisational matters, the Working Committee discussed the law and order situation in the state. It accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of suppressing democratic protests and alleged misuse of force against opposition workers.
The committee also expressed concern over what it described as a deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab and pledged to continue raising public issues at all levels.