Bhagwant Mann video row: Punjab CM claims masked man impersonated him; BJP lashes out at ‘changing versions’
Indiadailyupdate.com – A new dispute has emerged in Punjab politics regarding a viral video that portrays Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as an opponent of the Khalsa Panth. The Akal Takht Sahib, a revered Sikh religious authority, had previously branded Mann as “anti-Khalsa Panth” over the footage. In a recent address to the media in Mohali, Mann introduced a clip that he argued demonstrated the person in the video was wearing a mask to mimic his appearance.
The contentious video, which allegedly shows Mann disrespecting images of Sikh Gurus and the late militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, sparked outrage from the Sikh clerical community as early as January. Mann’s comments on the “guru ki golak” (donation box) had also drawn criticism. However, during the Mohali press conference, he introduced Jagman Samra, a Canadian-based individual, as the mastermind behind the incident. Mann claimed Samra had crafted a mask resembling his face and used it to stage a video for blackmail.
“Who installs pictures of Guru Sahib in hotels?” Mann questioned, also pointing out the absence of a surgical scar on the impersonator’s neck.
Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sarin criticized Mann’s shifting explanations, highlighting inconsistencies in his statements. Initially, Mann had stated the video was AI-generated, but now he attributes it to a masked impersonator. Sarin questioned why Mann hadn’t sought verification from an independent forensic lab, given his confidence in the video’s authenticity.
Recently, the Akal Takht’s Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, disclosed that two forensic labs confirmed the video as genuine in a June 15 meeting, as reported by Indian Express. This endorsement has intensified pressure on Mann, with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) urging him to resign before the Dharam Yudh Morcha, a religious protest set to begin on July 19. Mann’s claim about Samra’s mask from Canada’s Abbottsford—where he insists he has not set foot since 2016—remains a key point of contention as the situation unfolds.
