Senior Congress leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday made serious allegations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that Mann does not respect Sikh traditions and institutions. Channi went as far as to claim that Mann is not even a Sikh.
Channi's Accusations in Barnala
Channi was in Barnala to attend the concluding session of a two-day training workshop organized by the SC wing of the Congress party. During his address, he launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Bhagwant Mann.
He alleged, "Bhagwant Mann has brought disrepute to Punjab. He even went to a gurdwara while being drunk. He also refers to the Akal Takht Jathedar as a granthi. He is not even a Sikh."
Concerns Over Sikh Religious Affairs
Referring to Sikh religious matters, Channi pointed out that the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, was amended without consulting the Sikh community. He noted that both the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have expressed concerns over this issue.
Channi emphasized that decisions regarding Sikh religious affairs should be left to institutions like the Akal Takht and the SGPC. He urged that any verdict pronounced by the Akal Takht Jathedar and the SGPC must be accepted by all, stressing that preserving these institutions is the responsibility of every Sikh.
Criticism of AAP and BJP
Channi also accused the incumbent AAP government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to protect Punjab's interests. He alleged that Punjab's resources and treasury were being exploited and claimed that key decisions affecting the state were being controlled from Delhi.
The former CM's remarks have intensified the political debate in Punjab, with the opposition Congress party targeting the AAP government over its handling of religious and state affairs.
