Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann denies challenging Sri Akal Takht Sahib after 40-minute appearance in Amritsar
PTC Web Desk: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib secretariat in Amritsar on Thursday after being summoned over his alleged derogatory remarks concerning Sikh institutions. The Chief Minister remained inside the secretariat for nearly 40 minutes and later addressed the media, asserting that he has never challenged the authority of the Akal Takht, which he described as supreme.
CM Mann had arrived in Amritsar a day earlier and reached the Akal Takht secretariat ahead of the scheduled time, following which officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj also arrived. As per protocol, the hearing was held at the secretariat and not at the Akal Takht platform, as the Chief Minister is not an Amritdhari Sikh. Media personnel were not permitted inside during the proceedings.
Before the hearing, CM Mann was seen arriving barefoot with his head bowed at the Golden Temple, where he paid obeisance. He later proceeded to the Akal Takht secretariat carrying two black bags reportedly containing documents and evidence related to the matter.
‘Never challenged Akal Takht’
Speaking to the media after the meeting, CM Mann said he had submitted written explanations regarding his statements and complaints to the officiating Jathedar. “There was a false narrative being spread on social media that I was challenging the Akal Takht. I made it clear that this is untrue. I bowed my head before the Akal Takht. I neither have the courage nor the standing to challenge it,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he appeared before the Akal Takht as a humble Sikh and presented grievances and concerns raised by the public. According to him, around 25,000 pages of complaints and supporting material were submitted during the hearing. Mann added that the officiating Jathedar informed him that the submitted evidence would be examined and that he would be informed about any further directions.
“I feel a sense of peace and satisfaction after placing the feelings of the people in writing before the Jathedar,” Mann said.
Viral video ‘fake’, says CM
For the first time, CM Mann publicly addressed a viral video circulating on social media, which allegedly shows him making objectionable remarks. He dismissed the clip as fake or AI-generated, and told the officiating Jathedar that it could be sent for forensic examination at any laboratory in Punjab or elsewhere in the country.
He also denied allegations that the investigation into the missing Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji saroops was politically motivated, reiterating that there was no political agenda behind the probe.
AAP spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Dhaliwal confirmed that only the Chief Minister and the officiating Jathedar were present during the hearing. He said the CM had brought all the documents and material sought by the Akal Takht.
The matter dates back to January 5, when officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj summoned the Chief Minister over statements related to an allegedly objectionable video, the golak issue, and other Sikh concerns.
- PTC NEWS
