The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has issued an ultimatum to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, demanding the immediate dismissal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. If the demand is not met by July 19, the party will launch a Dharam Yudh Morcha to oust Mann, announced SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday.
Demand for lie detector test
Badal also called for Mann to undergo a lie detector test and facial expression analysis to prove his innocence regarding allegations of sacrilege. He accused the Chief Minister of manipulating two fake lab reports within two days, calling it a humanly impossible task. Badal claimed that a forensic lab examination typically takes at least four weeks for verification.
Five-member panel formed
Badal informed about a five-member panel headed by senior Akali leader Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhunder. The panel includes Mahesh Inder Singh Grwal, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, and Amarjit Singh Chawla. They will invite all stakeholders to join the Dharam Yudh Morcha against Mann.
Badal further stated that if AAP does not remove Mann, it would imply that party Convener Arvind Kejriwal is equally responsible for the sacrilege incident. He also demanded that the case be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) instead of Punjab Police.
Background of the controversy
The controversy erupted over an alleged forensic report of a purported viral video. Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldip Singh Gargaj had declared Mann as “Guru Dokhi” and “Panth Virodhi” on Monday. Mann has denied being the person in the video and has asked the Director General of Police to register a case and investigate the malicious campaign against him.
History of Dharam Yudh Morcha
According to SAD spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, the last Dharam Yudh Morcha was launched by the Shiromani Akali Dal and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on August 4, 1982, and lasted until June 10, 1984. Its aim was to implement the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, seeking greater autonomy for Punjab and protection of Sikh rights. That morcha ended tragically with Operation Bluestar in June 1984.
