Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday strongly rejected a video allegedly linked to him, calling it fake and part of a politically motivated conspiracy orchestrated by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to tarnish his image and derail his government's pro-people initiatives.
Describing the controversy as a deliberate smear campaign, Mann alleged that politically influenced individuals were being used to spread false propaganda against him, particularly after his government's tough anti-sacrilege legislation and decisions aimed at protecting Punjab’s interests.
The Chief Minister asserted that he holds Sri Akal Takht Sahib in the highest regard and bows before its authority with utmost reverence. However, he said he would continue taking bold decisions for Punjab’s Paani, Jawani, Kisani and Bani, regardless of attempts to malign his image.
In a post on X, Mann accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President of acting as a propagandist for the Akali Dal. He remarked that the only thing left was for a directive to be issued asking people to vote for Sukhbir Badal in the name of protecting the Panth.
Addressing Punjabis worldwide through a video message, Mann clarified that the controversial clip was not his and said he had already conveyed this before the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He maintained that neither the physical appearance nor the build of the individual shown in the video matched his own, alleging that false propaganda was being spread to damage his reputation.
Expressing concern, the Chief Minister said he was surprised that people occupying high religious positions were allegedly allowing themselves to become instruments of political agendas. He claimed the campaign was being driven by those who could not tolerate his government's decisions to safeguard Punjab’s water resources, youth, farmers and religious heritage.
Mann also accused his political opponents of misusing religion for political purposes and termed such attempts unfortunate and unacceptable. Reaffirming his faith, he said he had always regarded Sri Akal Takht Sahib as the supreme temporal authority and that neither he nor generations of his family could ever imagine challenging its authority.
The Chief Minister further alleged that vested interests were uncomfortable with the public support received by the government's anti-beadbi legislation. He pointed out what he described as contradictions among critics, saying they had earlier demanded a law against sacrilege but later questioned the government's decision after it was enacted.
Mann maintained that the Sikh Sangat was fully aware of how certain decisions had been taken in the past and rejected all attempts to defame him through what he called false allegations. He concluded by stating that Punjab remains at the centre of his life and that he is working tirelessly for the welfare of the state and its people.
