Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Sunday that all Sikh MLAs and ministers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 to present the government’s stand on the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. The announcement came after a closed-door meeting with Sikh legislators and ministers in Amritsar, where Mann was joined by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.
Government's Submission to Akal Takht
Mann stated that the party respects the authority of the Akal Takht and will submit a written response regarding the legislation. Non-Sikh MLAs will also send their written submissions to the Akal Takht. “Whatever directions are issued by the Akal Takht or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will be considered by the government,” he said.
Controversial Video and Personal Explanation
Responding to a question about a controversial video linked to him, Mann said he would submit a written explanation along with the masked video that had surfaced. Reiterating his earlier stand, he maintained that he was not the person seen in the video. “I can never think of confronting the Akal Takht,” he asserted, recalling that he had appeared whenever summoned, even during the President’s visit to Punjab.
Akal Takht's Declaration and Social Boycott
When asked about the Akal Takht declaring him “Guru Dokhi” and “Panth Dokhi” and calling for his social boycott, Mann said he would accept whatever decision the Sikh sangat takes. He claimed that despite boycott calls, he continued to receive support from devotees during his visits to gurdwaras, where people interacted with him and, at some places, even honoured him with siropas.
Allegations of Political Conspiracy
Refusing to comment on whether the Akal Takht’s decision was taken under pressure, Mann alleged that the Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal were jointly trying to give a religious colour to political issues to target him. He questioned whether a similar campaign of posters and hoardings had been launched against Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal when he was given religious punishment by the Akal Takht.
Kejriwal's Remarks and Religious Tourism Initiative
Meanwhile, Kejriwal raised the Ayodhya case, alleging that only “small fishes” had been arrested while the main culprits remained untouched. He claimed those arrested had been sent to judicial custody without proper interrogation. Announcing a new religious tourism initiative, Kejriwal said the Punjab Government had taken an in-principle decision to build a grand temple dedicated to Mata Sita and Luv-Kush near the Valmiki Temple at Ram Tirath in Amritsar. Detailed planning for the project will be finalised soon.
