AMRITSAR: In a significant development, the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, on Monday declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann as “Guru Dokhi” (anti-Guru) and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi” (anti-Khalsa Panth) following a meeting of the five Sikh high priests at Akal Takht on Monday that also directed there Sikh Panth to not have any connection with Mann.The decision came after Akal Takht received the forensic reports from two laboratories on the alleged sacrilege videos purportedly showing Mann , about the same, Mann during his appearance before Akal Takht on January 15 had had maintained that the video was neither manipulated nor generated using artificial intelligence (AI).The Sikh high priests also summoned all Sikh MLAs and members of the Punjab Cabinet who had signed the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, directing them to appear before Akal Takht on June 29. The Sikh high priests also sought written explanations from the non Sikh ministers of Punjab government.After holding the meeting with Panthic representatives and Sikh high priests, Giani Gargajj pronounced the decision from the rostrum of Akal Takht.The officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that Akal Takht had received a complaint against Mann regarding a video in which a person purportedly resembling the Chief Minister was seen sprinkling liquor on a portrait of the Sikh Gurus and allegedly engaging in objectionable acts. The video also purportedly showed liquor being sprinkled on a photograph of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the former head of Damdami Taksal and a controversial Sikh leader.He said that when Mann appeared before Akal Takht on January 15, he maintained that the video had neither been tampered with nor generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Akal Takht subsequently asked him to suggest two forensic laboratories where the video’s authenticity could be verified. On January 27, the Akal Takht Secretariat also wrote to Mann and the Punjab government seeking a response, but no reply has been received so far.The officiating Jathedar said that, in the absence of any response, the Akal Takht Secretariat identified two government-approved forensic laboratories for examination of the video. According to the reports received, the video was found to be original and showed no signs of manipulation or AI-generated content. Following the findings, the matter was discussed at a Panthic gathering and later deliberated upon by the five Sikh high priests, who decided to take action.
Should the Sikh community distance itself from leaders accused of sacrilege?
Stating that the Khalsa Panth could not tolerate such acts, Giani Gargajj said the Sikh high priests were of the view that they could no longer expect Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to take decisions in the interest of the Guru or the Sikh community.“Accordingly, on June 15, the Sikh high priests declared him ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘Khalsa Panth Virodhi’ and summoned all Sikh MLAs and members of the Punjab Cabinet who had signed the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, without consultation with the Panth and central Sikh institutions , to appear before Akal Takht on June 29,” he said adding that Sikh high priests have also directed the ‘Guru Khalsa panth iss nu muh a lagavae’ (not have any contact with him).