New Delhi, June 16 (IANS) As the Akal Takht came down strongly on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and declared him ‘anti-Guru’ after an objectionable video emerged, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on Tuesday criticised him, saying the development reflects the character and conduct of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They further asserted that the people of Punjab would give a befitting response to the ruling party in Punjab in the upcoming state Assembly elections.

Speaking to IANS, Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon said, “Earlier, he (Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann) had claimed that the video was AI-generated and should be tested in a laboratory. Now that the video has been examined and verified, he is still refusing to accept the findings.”

Dhillon added, “I want to say only one thing: for us, Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme. There is nothing above it. The directives of the Akal Takht should be respected and followed. I would advise Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to abide by the Akal Takht’s edict.”

Punjab BJP Vice-President Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa also launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mann.

Bajwa said, “The Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib has said that Bhagwant Mann committed sacrilege and disrespected Guru Sahib. A person who, despite being a Sikh, does not respect his Gurus has been excommunicated from the Panth. He has been declared a traitor to the Panth. Sikhs have been advised not to maintain any contact with him because he has been excommunicated.”

He also claimed that the Akal Takht had clarified that the photographs and evidence presented were not fabricated.

“They (Akal Takht) have stated that a thorough investigation was conducted and the material was found to be genuine. The manner in which Bhagwant Mann has allegedly disrespected the Gurus is unacceptable,” he said.

Congress leader Shamshir Singh Dhillon described the matter as extremely serious.

“This is a grave mistake, and the truth has now come out. The way we revere and pray to our Gurus, it is shocking that a sitting Chief Minister is facing such allegations. It is being claimed that these actions were committed under the influence of intoxication. However, the matter has been examined, and the Akal Takht has also taken cognisance of it,” he said.

Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said, “The Sikh religious authorities have taken an entirely appropriate decision. The kind of language used by Bhagwant Mann regarding the Gurus reflects the character and conduct of the Aam Aadmi Party. In the upcoming Punjab elections, the people of Punjab will give a strong reply.”

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Aman Arora refrained from commenting on the issue.

“It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. It would be better if the Chief Minister himself responds. In the coming days, he will present his stand. I will not say anything about the Akal Takht, as it is a matter of great respect. The Chief Minister will clarify his position in due course,” he said.

Meanwhile, a day after the Sikh clergy pronounced an edict against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his ‘objectionable video’, he clarified that the video neither “matches his height nor build” and called it a “conspiracy and false propaganda” to defame him and the AAP.

“I revere Sri Akal Takht Sahib as ‘supreme’, but some at religious posts peddle false propaganda for their political masters,” CM Mann said in a video message.

The Akal Takht on Monday directed the Sikh community to ostracise CM Mann over a video that they said hurt Sikh sentiments.

The Chief Minister was declared guilty of “sprinkling alcohol on portraits of Sikh Gurus” as portrayed in a viral video that Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said was “neither AI-generated nor doctored”.

However, Chief Minister Mann in the message strongly rejected the viral video showing him sprinkling alcohol on portraits of Sikh Gurus.

The Sikh clergy declared CM Mann “Guru Dokhi” (anti-Guru) and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi” (anti-community).

They also summoned all Sikh legislators across the political parties and Cabinet Ministers before the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of Sikhs — on June 29 in connection with an anti-sacrilege law recently passed by the Legislature.

Akal Takht Jathedar Gargaj pronounced the edict from the ‘faseel’ (Akal Takht podium) after the Sikh clergy held a meeting in Amritsar.

On January 4, a complaint was filed against CM Mann regarding a video which purportedly showed him making comments on the ‘Guru ki Golak’ (a gurdwara donation box) and disrespecting the pictures of the “Sikh Gurus” and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

CM Mann was summoned and had appeared before the Akal Takht on January 15 for allegedly making derogatory remarks on Sikh tenets. He was the third Chief Minister to be summoned by the Akal Takht after Parkash Singh Badal and Surjit Singh Barnala.

–IANS

jk/khz