Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed that Sikh ministers, MLAs and the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib today to present the government’s position on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act.
Speaking after a meeting with party legislators and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, CM Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said the Akal Takht remains the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community and that every direction issued by it would be respected without reservation.
The Chief Minister said those summoned would appear before the Akal Takht in their capacity as devoted Sikhs and place both their personal views and the government’s stand before the Sikh clergy. He added that ministers and legislators who have been asked to provide written explanations would also comply with those directions.
Highlighting his respect for the institution, Mann recalled that he had previously appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib after receiving a summons, even at the cost of missing an official programme attended by the President of India. He described his reverence for the Akal Takht as unwavering and above all political considerations.
Responding to questions about the controversy surrounding a viral video allegedly featuring him, Mann said he would submit a written clarification along with material that, according to him, shows a masked individual impersonating him. He maintained that the video circulated against him was fabricated and intended to mislead people.
The Chief Minister also said he would accept whatever decision emerges from the proceedings before the Akal Takht. However, he questioned why similar calls for social boycott were not raised against other political leaders who had appeared before the Sikh religious authority in the past.
Meanwhile, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing the media, also referred to the alleged Ram Temple donation scam and claimed that only lower-level individuals had been arrested, while those allegedly responsible at higher levels had not faced action.
The appearance of AAP’s Sikh legislators before Sri Akal Takht Sahib is expected to be closely watched, as the proceedings could have significant political and religious implications in Punjab.
