New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) In a pointed rebuke to the media fraternity, the Akal Takht has voiced deep regret over what it described as a deliberate “blackout” of coverage, particularly in Punjabi and regional outlets, regarding the sensational FIR registered by Gurugram Police in the controversial video case involving the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The apex Sikh temporal authority had earlier this month taken the unprecedented step of declaring Chief Minister Mann “guru dokhi” (anti-guru) and “Khalsa panth Virodhi” (anti-Khalsa panth).

The declaration stemmed from a widely circulated video purportedly showing a man resembling the Chief Minister Mann engaged in objectionable acts alongside images of Sikh Gurus and slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

In a formal letter addressed to the Press Clubs of Chandigarh, Jalandhar, and Amritsar, as well as various journalist unions, the Akal Takht underlined that its official decisions and reactions on matters concerning the Sikh community are promptly disseminated through its Secretariat.

An official statement on the video issue was released on Tuesday, yet much of the media chose to ignore it.

The Haryana Police’s action on Tuesday — arresting two individuals following a complaint by a forensic expert who claimed he was offered money to fabricate a favourable report on the disputed video — marked a significant development.

However, several media houses, especially Punjabi print and digital platforms, remained conspicuously silent on both the arrests and the Akal Takht’s position.

Regrettably, a large section of the media has not published the official side of the Secretariat of Akal Takht Sahib on this serious matter, the letter said.

It also emphasised that the media, regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, has a sacred duty to report important public events without fear or favour.

“If the media does not publish pro-people news under any pressure, it is not fulfilling its responsibility properly,” it said.

–IANS

sktr/khz