Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed accusations of sacrilegious behavior leveled against him, labeling them as part of a smear campaign to damage his reputation. In a video statement, Mann refuted claims that a video allegedly depicting the desecration of Sikh gurus’ photos was authentic, attributing it to political motives aimed at defaming him. He criticized the BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Congress for exploiting religion for political gain, asserting that the circulated video was manipulated to tarnish his image.
Mann emphasized that the public would determine the credibility of the allegations, highlighting attempts by political opponents to discredit him through false narratives. He accused the opposition of orchestrating a conspiracy to malign him, citing a nexus between rival parties in Punjab. Refuting the authenticity of the video, Mann underscored discrepancies between himself and the individual in the footage, urging people to discern the truth amidst the ongoing controversy.
Following the registration of an FIR by Haryana Police in Gurugram regarding the viral video controversy, two individuals were arrested for allegedly influencing a forensic report related to the video. The case unfolded after Jaspreet Singh, approached for a forensic analysis, reported an attempt to bribe him with Rs 10 lakh to falsify the report. The Sikh clergy’s condemnation of CM Mann as “Guru Dokhi” and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi” further escalated tensions, prompting a summons of Sikh legislators and cabinet ministers before the Akal Takht.
