Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Sunday that all Sikh ministers, MLAs, and the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will appear before the Akal Takht on Monday. The move aims to present the government's stand on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, ending days of speculation.
Closed-Door Meeting with Arvind Kejriwal
Accompanied by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal after a closed-door meeting with Sikh legislators and ministers in Amritsar, Mann reiterated that the Akal Takht is the supreme temporal authority of the Sikh community. He stated that every directive issued by it would be obeyed “in true letter and spirit.”
“The Akal Takht is above everything for me. Its command is, was, and will always remain supreme for me and my family,” Mann said. He added that all those summoned would appear “as humble Sikhs” and present both their individual stand and the government’s position.
Mann’s Past Appearance Before Akal Takht
Mann recalled that he had previously appeared before the Akal Takht even at the cost of skipping a function attended by the President of India. “My reverence for the highest Sikh temporal seat is evident from the fact that I even skipped the President’s programme to appear before it,” he said.
Non-Sikh MLAs to Submit Written Responses
Mann also noted that non-Sikh MLAs would submit their written responses to the Akal Takht. Responding to a question about whether he would submit a letter to clarify his stand regarding a controversial video that allegedly showed him, following the Akal Takht’s hukamnama declaring him “Guru dokhi” and “Panth virodhi,” Mann said he would submit a written explanation along with details of what he described as a “fake video” in which a person impersonated him by wearing a mask.
Social Boycott and Political Allegations
On the subsequent call for his social boycott, Mann said he would abide by whatever decision the Sikh sangat took. At the same time, he questioned why similar boycott posters had not been displayed against Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal after he accepted responsibility before the Akal Takht in connection with sacrilege-related incidents.
Without directly accusing the Akal Takht, Mann said questions arise “when political appointees occupying religious positions start taking one-sided decisions to appease their political masters.” The Chief Minister alleged that the Congress, BJP, and the SAD were jointly trying to give a religious colour to political issues to target him.
Concerns Over Maharashtra Government’s Move
Referring to the Maharashtra Government’s move concerning the management law of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, Mann urged it not to interfere in Sikh religious affairs, saying such decisions hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Kejriwal’s Remarks on Ayodhya Case
Meanwhile, Kejriwal raised the Ayodhya case, alleging that only “small fish” had been arrested while the main culprits remained untouched. He claimed those arrested had been sent to judicial custody without proper interrogation.
