Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has formally appealed to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, seeking permission for a live telecast of his appearance before the Sikh community’s highest temporal authority on January 15, saying Sikhs across the world are demanding complete openness in the proceedings.
In a message shared on social media platform X, Mann said he has been receiving messages from the global Sikh diaspora requesting that the entire process be broadcast live, including the presentation of accounts related to the Guru’s golak. The Chief Minister said a direct telecast would ensure that the sangat remains fully informed about every clarification and financial detail. He added that he would present himself before the Akal Takht with all relevant records and supporting evidence.
The request has, however, triggered strong objections from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal said the Jathedar had summoned the Chief Minister after taking serious note of public concerns and warned against giving the issue a political colour. He stressed that anyone appearing before the Akal Takht must do so in a spirit of humility and respect, without imposing conditions. Grewal also pointed out that documents submitted at the Akal Takht become part of the institution’s historical record.
The matter stems from a controversy over a shabad kirtan performance by Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi. The Akal Takht Jathedar had objected to the performance, stating that as Jassi is not an initiated Sikh, he should not perform shabad kirtan. Responding to this, Mann had questioned whether, by the same logic, “patit” Sikhs should also be barred from paying obeisance or making offerings to the golak.
After these remarks and the circulation of related video clips, the Jathedar expressed strong displeasure, saying comments related to the Guru’s golak and the Sikh principle of dasvandh were unacceptable. He also flagged concerns over the lack of progress in sensitive cases such as the Bargari sacrilege incident and the Maur bomb blast case. Objections were also raised over a video in which Mann was allegedly seen making inappropriate gestures alongside images of Sikh Gurus and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Following these developments, the Akal Takht Secretariat summoned the Punjab Chief Minister to appear before it on January 15.
