The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has passed a resolution demanding the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, asserting that he has no moral right to remain in office following a 'Hukumnama' (directive) issued by the Akal Takht, the Sikhs' highest temporal seat, in connection with a controversial video.
Executive committee meeting
The decision was taken at a meeting of the SGPC’s executive committee chaired by its president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Saturday in Amritsar. The SGPC also released a video recording of Mann’s appearance before the Akal Takht on January 15 and the proceedings initiated by officiating Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj thereafter. Mann had been summoned to the Akal Takht secretariat to clarify his stand over the controversial video, which pertains to a conversation and discussion regarding objectionable content.
Social boycott and general house meeting
Dhami stated that the Akal Takht had already ordered a social boycott of the CM and appealed to the Sikh community to abide by the directive in accordance with Sikh traditions and maryada. The SGPC president said the committee had also decided to convene its general house meeting on June 27 to deliberate on the issue further. After that meeting, the SGPC would take the matter to the 'people’s court'. 'Our members will hold meetings in every constituency to make people aware about the developments,' he added.
Forensic examination and AI claims
Sharing the video of the CM’s appearance before the Akal Takht, Dhami said Mann had agreed to a forensic examination of the alleged video and was asked to give names of forensic laboratories. The Akal Takht contacted the CM and his office regarding the forensic investigation, but there was no response. 'The CM repeatedly said the video was AI-generated, but the claims fell flat following the forensic examination. The report did not find any evidence of tampering or the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Consequently, the Akal Takht proceeded with action in accordance with Sikh religious norms and traditions,' said Dhami. He added that now a narrative was being built that the man in the video was not Mann.
