Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Why Sri Akal Takht has summoned Punjab CM Mann on Jan 15?
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), January 5, 2026: In connection with a serious Panthic issue that has been under consideration for some time, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been summoned to appear in person at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15, 2026.
The summons has been issued in view of what has been described as a deliberate display of an anti-Sikh mindset, including repeated highly objectionable remarks challenging the Sikh Rehat Maryada, the supreme authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and the sacred principle of “Guru Ki Golak” (Dasvandh) bestowed by the Sikh Gurus, thereby deeply hurting Sikh sentiments.
The decision has also been prompted by a highly objectionable video of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that surfaced recently, in which he is allegedly seen engaging in inappropriate and offensive activity involving images of the Sikh Gurus and the eminent 20th-century Sikh leader and Qaumi Shaheed, Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale.
Addressing the media at the Secretariat on Monday, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, said that while the Chief Minister occupies a high constitutional office, his statements and conduct reflect what he termed the arrogance of power. The Jathedar clarified that as the Chief Minister is a patit under Sikh tradition and therefore cannot be presented before the façade of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, he has instead been directed to appear at the Secretariat to submit his explanation.
Jathedar Gargajj asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib will not tolerate any challenge to the Sikh Rehat Maryada or any assault on Sikh sentiments. He further stated that the controversial video would be subjected to forensic examination, and if found to be authentic, strict action will be taken in accordance with Panthic traditions.
Raising broader concerns, the Acting Jathedar questioned the Punjab government’s failure to deliver justice in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case and the 2017 Maur bomb blast, in which seven people, including five children, were killed. He said the Bargari sacrilege was carried out at the behest of Dera Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, pointing out that one of the key accused, Pradeep Kaler, has stated in court that the act was executed on the instructions of Ram Rahim and his associate Honeypreet. He added that the Maur blast case is also linked to the Dera.
Jathedar Gargajj asked why the state government has failed to arrest Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Honeypreet, and other accused, and why they have not been brought to Punjab to face trial. He alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government has used the Bargari sacrilege issue merely for political gain while effectively shielding what he described as an anti-Sikh, self-styled godman.
He further questioned why no concrete action was taken in the Maur blast case even after the AAP came to power, despite party leaders earlier claiming that the attack was aimed at preventing them from forming the government.
Criticising the government’s approach toward Sikh youths, the Jathedar said that cases are swiftly registered for minor matters, such as posting photographs with air rifles, while Sikh youths are allegedly targeted under stringent laws like the NSA and UAPA, reflecting what he termed a persistent anti-Sikh bias.
He also pointed out that the state government did not challenge the transfer of Bargari sacrilege-related cases outside Punjab, nor did it file an appeal against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order transferring the cases, citing an unconducive atmosphere in the state. Instead, he noted, senior Supreme Court advocate S. Harwinder Singh Phoolka has been contesting the matter on behalf of the petitioners.
This, Jathedar Gargajj said, exposes the government’s hidden inclination toward Dera Sirsa and Gurmeet Ram Rahim, and its failure to secure justice in sacrilege cases while playing politics with Sikh sentiments.
He further recalled that Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan had visited the Bargari morcha three years ago and assured justice within three months, a promise that remains unfulfilled. He said the matter is under the notice of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and after reviewing all facts, Speaker Sandhwan may also be summoned to seek an explanation.