Punjab CM Mann appears before Akal Takht Secretariat to clarify remarks on Sikh traditions

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appeared before the Akal Takht Secretariat here on Thursday (January 15, 2026) and submitted his statement after being summoned by the highest temporary seat of Sikhs for his claims about Sikh traditions and principles.

Mr Mann prayed at the Golden Temple before appearing before the Takht Secretariat, where he was present for more than an hour.

The Chief Minister later told media persons that he submitted his remarks to the acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj. Sources said Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh was present in the Secretariat along with jathedar Gargajj.

“As per the order of Jathedar Sahib, I have attended here as a humble Sikh and submitted my statement in response to the questions asked,” said Mr. Mann, who was carrying a bag containing some documents he had submitted at the venue.

“Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme authority of the entire Sikh community and it is supreme for me as well. Jathedar Sahib recorded my statement and said, ‘Further action will be taken after consultations with Singh Sahibans’ (Sikh clergy).

“I will abide by every decision of Jathedar Sahib. My presence here has given me great satisfaction, inner peace and satisfaction”. On January 5, 2026, jathedar Gargajj summoned Mr Mann for allegedly commenting on ‘Guru ki Golak’ (a gurdwara donation box) and “objectionable behaviour” with images of Sikh gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

When asked about comments made by the jathedar on certain videos circulating on social media last week, Mr Mann claimed that they were fake or created by artificial intelligence and that this could be “verified in any forensic laboratory”.

The chief minister said he had submitted 25,000 to 30,000 pages of complaints to the jathedar as an advocate for the sentiments of millions of people.

“The complaints reflect the sentiments of people who have pointed out various anomalies in the functioning of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee). I humbly made the request to the jathedar. sahib To ensure that complaints are investigated, as the emotions of millions depend on them.

“Institutions are always superior, the people who run them can make mistakes. Such people do not deserve tolerance for the evil they do,” he said.

Mr. Mann joins a long list of prominent politicians called by the highest secular authority for Sikhs in the past.

From former Prime Ministers Surjit Singh Barnala and Parkash Singh Badal to former president of India Zail Singh and former Union Minister Buta Singh, the list of leaders who appeared before the Takht for penance includes many notable names.

Last week, Mr Gargajj said Mann was personally summoned to the Takht Secretariat to make his statement as he was a ‘patit’ (a Sikh who cuts his hair) and could not be presented before the front of the Akal Takht Sahib.

Before his appearance, Mr Mann said a false perception had been created on social media that he was challenging the authority of the Akal Takht.

Mr. Mann told reporters that he had not even considered doing so because the authority of the Akal Takht was paramount.

Mr Gajrajj claimed last week that Mr Mann had deliberately expressed an “anti-Sikh mentality” and had repeatedly made “objectionable” comments against the principle of ‘dasvand’ or ‘tithe’, the practice of donating 10% of earnings to a place of worship.

Referring to some “objectionable videos” circulating on social media, Mr. Gargajj alleged that Mr. Mann’s actions towards images of Sikh Gurus and Bhindranwale were disrespectful.

However, Mr Mann stated that the videos were fake. He also expressed his gratitude to the jathedar for presenting him with two important books on ‘Sikh Rehat Maryada’ (code of conduct) and Gurdwara Code.

Asked about the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the 328 missing ‘saroops’ (holy books) of the Guru Granth Sahib, Mr. Mann clarified that it was not a political move.

“SIT was created solely to trace lost saroops. Its mandate is limited to tracing them so that they are not misused,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that he has asked Jathedar Gajrajj to direct SGPC to provide unique codes assigned to each saroop issued by it and facilitate tracking of lost saroops.

It was published – 15 January 2026 22:25 IST