Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday dismissed allegations linked to a purported objectionable video, asserting that the individual seen in the footage was not him and accusing religious authorities of spreading "false propaganda" to tarnish his image.

His response came a day after the Sikh clergy declared him 'Guru Dokhi' (anti-Guru) and 'Khalsa Panth virodhi' (anti-Khalsa Panth) over the controversy surrounding the video.

In a video statement, Mann said he was shocked that individuals occupying senior positions in religious institutions were, according to him, participating in a campaign aimed at defaming him under political influence.

"The person shown in that video is not me. I completely reject the authenticity of linking me to that footage," Mann said.

The controversy dates back to January this year, when the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs, summoned the chief minister over allegations that he had made remarks concerning 'Guru ki Golak' (gurdwara donation boxes) and had been involved in activities deemed objectionable in connection with images of Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale appearing in a circulated video clip.

Reiterating the stand he had taken earlier before the Akal Takht, Mann maintained that the person featured in the video differed from him physically.

"When I was summoned previously, I had clearly stated that the individual in the video was not me. The person's height and physique do not match mine," he said.

The chief minister further alleged that attempts were being made to malign him because of decisions taken by his government.

"I am surprised that people holding the highest positions in religious bodies are engaging in such false propaganda at the behest of their political bosses. They are resorting to mudslinging to defame me because they cannot tolerate the decisions I have taken for the protection of Punjab's waters, Gurbani, farmers and youth," he said.

According to Mann, religion was being used as a tool to target him politically.

At the same time, he stressed his respect for the Akal Takht.

"I regard the Akal Takht as the supreme institution and remain committed to its dignity," he said.

However, Mann questioned the process through which the Akal Takht Jathedar had assumed office, suggesting that political considerations had influenced appointments.

"The Sikh community is well aware of the circumstances surrounding these political appointments and the nature of the decisions being taken there," he remarked.

On Monday, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj issued the edict against Mann from the Takht's podium in Amritsar, accusing the chief minister of misleading the Sikh community by denying his involvement in the video.

The Jathedar stated that examinations conducted by two forensic laboratories had found the circulated footage to be genuine and concluded that it had neither been tampered with nor generated using artificial intelligence.

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In a related development, the Sikh clergy also directed all Sikh legislators in Punjab, irrespective of party affiliation, along with members of the Punjab Cabinet, to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 in connection with discussions concerning proposed anti-sacrilege legislation.