Chandigarh, June 24 (IANS) Amid a row over a viral video clip allegedly linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Wednesday called him a “liar” and “alcoholic”, while questioning his “disgusting actions”.

The controversy intensified following allegations that a forensic report connected to the video had been fabricated.

Speaking to IANS, Bikram Singh Majithia said: “The Chief Minister is shameless, a liar, and an alcoholic person. And we are not the ones saying this—his own children have said it. Why did his ex-wife leave him? Because of these very reasons.”

Referring to the allegations of CM Mann appearing drunk inside the Punjab Assembly, he said: ” The MLAs accompanying him had complained that he is an alcoholic.”

Majithia further said: “He (Mann) went to the Guru Ghar after consuming alcohol. These allegations have been made against him by his own family members and associates. This video also has the same problem: alcohol.”

The SAD leader asserted that the Punjab CM has “crossed all limits” by allegedly splashing liquor on the pictures of the Sikh Gurus.

“For me, my religion comes first. The Guru Granth Sahib is everything for me, and the Akal Takht holds the utmost importance. Has a Chief Minister been given the right to challenge Sri Akal Takht Sahib?” he questioned.

Regarding the source of the video, Majithia said: “The video that depicts disrespect to the portraits of the Sikh Gurus was given by Bhagwant Mann’s very own friend Jagman Samra. Following this, what could the Akal Takht Jathedar do except questioning him (Mann) about whether it is real or fake.”

Referring to CM Mann’s claim that the video is AI-generated, he said: “They (Akal Takht) even asked him to name three laboratories from where the video could be verified, but he didn’t reply. If the Chief Minister was honest, he could have said that we have a state-run laboratory, CFSL, Chandigarh or Delhi.”

“But he (Mann) knew that if the video was verified, he could land in trouble. Instead, he thought of ignoring the issue and hoped it would be forgotten in a few days. After failing to get a response despite questioning for around six months, the video was verified, and it was found to be genuine. Consequently, the Akal Takht declared him (Mann) as ‘Guru Dokhi’,” he added.

The SAD leader stressed that the decision taken by the Akal Takht is “absolutely correct”.

“Don’t we have religious sentiments? Just because he is a Chief Minister, he is allowed everything, even disrespecting Sikh Gurus, Sant Jarnail Singh and carry out disgusting actions?” he asked.

–IANS

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