Declared 'Tankhaiya,' Bhagwant Mann Faces Religious Censure, Resignation Calls Ahead of Punjab Polls
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 15: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been declared a tankhaiya — a term in Sikhism used for a person found guilty of religious misconduct or violating the Sikh code of conduct (Rehat Maryada) — with the Sikh sangat urged to distance itself from him. The controversy comes at a politically crucial time, with Punjab gearing up for Assembly elections.
The allegations linked to a viral video in which a person resembling Mann was allegedly seen sprinkling alcohol on images of Sikh Gurus. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj claimed that the video was genuine and not AI-generated, contrary to Mann's earlier assertion.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal and spiritual authority in Sikhism, was established by Guru Hargobind Sahib in Amritsar as a symbol of Sikh sovereignty and justice. It is currently headed by Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj.
However, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have questioned whether the individual seen in the video is actually Mann, arguing that the identity of the person remains unverified.
"We questioned the chief minister regarding the video and he claimed it was AI-generated. We asked him to provide proof, but received no response for six months. We then had the video examined by two laboratories recognised by the Government of India, which found that the video was neither fake nor AI-generated. Today, the Panth took action and reached a decision on this matter," Gargajj said in a video that has since gone viral.
Congress Jumps In, Seeks Resignation of Bhagwant Mann
The announcement has drawn political reactions, including from the Congress, which last governed Punjab between 2017 and 2022 that was marked by political turbulence. Captain Amarinder Singh serving as chief minister before being replaced by Charanjit Singh Channi ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, which Congress lost to AAP.
Reacting to the Akal Takht's decision, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called for Mann's resignation.
In a post on X, he wrote: "Following the forensic investigation of the alleged video by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhagwant Mann has been declared a tankhaiya and the Sikh sangat has been appealed to stay away from him. After such a serious decision, Bhagwant Mann has lost his moral right to continue. Respecting the supreme authority, maryada, and Sikh sentiments associated with Akal Takht Sahib, Bhagwant Mann should immediately resign from the post of Chief Minister."
AAP Questions Identity in Video
AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu, however, raised questions about the conclusions drawn from the forensic examination.
He said, "Sri Akal Takht Sahib's Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj has presented a report regarding the viral video. Even if we accept the report, it still does not answer a key question: who is the person in the video?" Pannu said. Pannu questioned the identification of the person in the video, citing a noticeable height difference from Mann.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal recently indicated that Punjab could head for Assembly elections as early as November this year.
