A day after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was declared “Guru Dokhi” and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi” by the Akal Takht over a purported controversial video, he launched a sharp attack on Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj.
Addressing a gathering at Bihala village in the Chabbewal constituency of Hoshiarpur on Tuesday, Mann questioned Gargaj’s appointment and accused the Akal Takht leadership of functioning under political influence.
“They call me a ‘patit’ Sikh and say I may be ignorant about the Sikh code of conduct. But Giani Gargaj’s appointment around 2-2.30 am, when Guru Granth Sahib was in Sukhasan, is itself questionable,” Mann said.
Addressing people, many of them watching from rooftops around the venue, Mann alleged the Akal Takht had been reduced to a courtroom. “The Akal Takht Jathedar keeps summoning people. Apologies of some are accepted, while those of others are rejected. Everything is being done at the directions of political bosses. The Akal Takht, which is the highest court of Sikhs, has been reduced to a courtroom,” he said.
The CM also accused the Opposition of trying to defame him through false allegations and fabricated videos. “They have nothing to say against me, so they are resorting to such tactics, but they will not succeed,” he said.
Referring to sacrilege cases, Mann said the state government had enacted a stricter law to ensure strong action against those found guilty of hurting religious sentiments.
