Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann seeks live telecast of appearance before Akal Takht on Jan 15; SGPC reacts
PTC Web Desk: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has appealed to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to permit a live telecast of his appearance before the highest Sikh temporal authority on January 15. Making the request through a post on social media platform X, CM Mann said Sikhs across the globe are seeking full transparency in the proceedings.
The Chief Minister stated that he has received numerous messages from members of the global Sikh community who want the entire process to be broadcast live, including the submission of accounts related to the Guru’s golak (offering box). He urged the Jathedar to allow a direct telecast of his explanation so that the sangat can stay informed at every stage regarding the clarifications and financial details. Mann added that he would present himself before the Akal Takht on January 15 with complete documentation and evidence.
The demand, however, has triggered sharp reactions from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal said the Jathedar would have summoned the Chief Minister only after taking note of public objections. He warned against politicising the matter and emphasised that anyone appearing before the Akal Takht should do so with humility, without setting preconditions. Grewal further said that the documents submitted at the Akal Takht would hold historical significance.
The issue traces back to a controversy involving Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi, whose shabad kirtan performance drew objections from the Akal Takht Jathedar. The Jathedar had maintained that since Jassi is not a fully initiated Sikh, he should not perform shabad kirtan. Reacting to this, CM Mann had questioned whether, by the same logic, “patit” Sikhs should also be barred from paying obeisance or contributing offerings to the golak.
After these remarks and the circulation of related video clips, the Jathedar expressed strong disapproval, stating that comments concerning the Guru’s golak and the Sikh principle of dasvandh were unacceptable. He also voiced concern over the lack of progress in the Bargari sacrilege case and the Maur bomb blast incident. The Jathedar also objected to a video in which Mann was allegedly seen making objectionable gestures alongside images of Sikh Gurus and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
In view of these developments, the Punjab Chief Minister has been summoned to appear before the Akal Takht Secretariat on January 15.
- PTC NEWS
