Akal Takht declares Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann 'anti-Guru', asks Sikhs to distance themselves

The decision was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj following a meeting of the five Singh Sahibs, months after Mann appeared before the Sikh body's highest temporal authority over allegations of making objectionable remarks about Sikh devotees and his alleged involvement in a controversial video.

Forensic tests at centre of controversy

Mann had appeared before the Akal Takht on January 15 after being summoned to explain remarks deemed offensive by sections of the Sikh community.

He was also questioned about a video in which a person resembling him was seen sprinkling alcohol on images of Sikh Gurus.

The chief minister had denied the allegation, maintaining that the video was generated using artificial intelligence.

However, the Akal Takht said it subsequently sent the video for examination to two laboratories recognised by the Government of India.

According to the Takht, the forensic analysis concluded that the video was neither manipulated nor AI-generated.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), however, countered that while the tests may have found the video genuine, they did not establish whether the individual seen in it was indeed Mann.

'Sikhs should have nothing to do with him'

Announcing the verdict, Gargaj accused the chief minister of misleading the Akal Takht and said he had been found guilty before the Guru.

"The chief minister lied while appearing before the Akal Takht and has been declared guilty before the Guru, or 'anti-Guru'. Sikhs have no expectations from the chief minister, and the 'panth' and followers of the Guru should have nothing to do with him," he said.

The decision marks one of the strongest religious censures issued against a sitting Punjab chief minister in recent years.

Entire Punjab Cabinet summoned

In another significant move ahead of next year's Punjab Assembly elections, the Akal Takht summoned the entire Punjab Cabinet to appear before it on June 29 over the passage of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The legislation prescribes punishment of up to life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege against the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Criticising the Mann government, Gargaj alleged that the law was enacted without consulting Sikh religious institutions or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

"It is intolerable for anyone to challenge the Guru's throne. Recently, the Punjab government introduced an Act without consulting the Sikh community, institutions, or the SGPC.

"Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government acted obstinately, securing approval from the Legislative Assembly and the Governor. This law will cause a rift within the 'panth'. The government has no authority to enact legislation concerning the 'panth'," he said.

Congress demands Mann's resignation

The Akal Takht's decision quickly triggered political reactions, with Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring demanding Mann's resignation.

"Following the forensic investigation of the alleged video by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhagwant Mann has been declared a 'tankhaiya' and the Sikh 'sangat' has been asked to stay away from him. After such a serious decision, Bhagwant Mann has lost his moral right.

" Respecting the supreme authority of Akal Takht Sahib and Sikh sentiments, Bhagwant Mann should immediately resign from the post of chief minister," Warring said in a post on X.

The developments are expected to intensify political and religious debates in Punjab as the state moves closer to the 2027 Assembly elections.