Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers staged a protest outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office near Sheetla Mata Mandir at Mai Heeran Gate in Jalandhar on Saturday, June 20, 2026, against an allegedly objectionable video of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that has gone viral on social media. The AAP alleged that the video was generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and circulated to defame the Chief Minister. Party workers raised slogans against the BJP and held placards during the demonstration.
Background of the Controversy
The video in question led the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, to declare CM Bhagwant Mann as 'Guru Dokhi' (betrayer of the Guru) and 'Khalsa Panth Virodhi' (opponent of the Khalsa community) based on the viral video and its forensic examination. However, the AAP rejected these allegations and cited forensic reports claiming that the individual seen in the video was not the Punjab Chief Minister.
Protest Details
Amid heavy police deployment, a large number of AAP workers gathered outside the BJP office on Saturday and raised slogans as part of the party's state-wide protests against the circulation of the video. AAP district president Amritpal stated, 'Punjab and the people of Punjab cannot be divided on religious lines, even though such attempts may be made in other states. Amid reports of an internal alliance between the BJP and the Akali Dal, AI-generated videos in the name of the Chief Minister are being circulated because they have run out of other issues. The video has been examined from 1,100 angles, all of which have shown that the man seen in it is not the Punjab Chief Minister.'
Party Leaders' Statements
AAP leader Chander Grewal added, 'With the BJP having no other issues to raise, falsehoods are being spread regarding the Punjab Chief Minister. We have gathered here to protest against the AI-generated fake video being circulated to target the CM.' While both leaders criticized the BJP and the Akali Dal over the viral video, they refrained from commenting against the Akal Takht or its acting Jathedar, Gyani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. Grewal said, 'The Akal Takht is the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs and one of the most revered institutions in the state. We have nothing to say against it. However, everyone has the right to present their side of the story.'
Impact and Reactions
The protest highlights the growing political tensions in Punjab ahead of potential elections, with AI-generated content becoming a new tool for political attacks. The AAP's rejection of the video's authenticity and its appeal to forensic evidence underscores the party's strategy to counter allegations. Meanwhile, the BJP and Akali Dal have not yet responded to the AAP's claims. The Akal Takht's declaration remains a significant religious censure, but the AAP's careful avoidance of direct criticism against the institution indicates a delicate balancing act between political opposition and respect for Sikh religious authority.
