Premium

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj summons Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann: ‘deliberately displayed an anti-Sikh mentality’, ‘deeply wounded Sikh sentiments’

As Bhagwant Mann is a patit Sikh, or one who has cut his hair, he has been asked to submit his response to the Akal Takht Sahib secretariat.

3 min readJan 5, 2026 03:27 PM IST

As Mann is a patit Sikh, or one who has cut his hair, he has been asked to submit his response to the Akal Takht Sahib secretariat.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj summoned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to appear before the Akal Takht secretariat on January 15 for making statements over the Sikh code of conduct recently.

The Jathedar of the supreme temporal seat of the Sikh also summoned the Punjab chief minister over an alleged video in which a person looking like Mann is seen committing a sacrilege with pictures of Sikh Gurus and former Damdami Taksal head Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

It is not verified if the video is original or AI-generated.

“You are hereby informed that while speaking on a serious ongoing Panthic issue, you deliberately displayed an anti-Sikh mentality by repeatedly making highly objectionable remarks against Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s Sikh Rehat Maryada, its supreme authority, and the principle of dasvandh—“Guru Ki Golak”—bestowed by the Guru Sahiban, thereby deeply wounding Sikh sentiments,” the Akal Takht said in a statement.

“Additionally, some objectionable videos of yours have recently surfaced, in which you are seen engaging in highly objectionable activities with the images of Sikh Guru Sahiban and the great national martyr of the 20th century, Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Pursuant to the orders of the revered Singh Sahib Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib, you are holding a constitutional high office in Punjab, and your anti-Sikh statements reflect your inner state of political arrogance,” it said.

As Mann is a patit Sikh, or one who has cut his hair, he has been asked to submit his response to the Akal Takht Sahib secretariat.

“Since you are a patit and, as per Sikh tradition, cannot be brought before the railing of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, you are summoned in person to appear at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15, 2026 (Miti 02 Magh Nanakshahi Samat 557), at 10:00 AM to provide your clarification.”

Story continues below this ad

There was controversy when Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi sang a religious song on a stage where Guru Granth Sahib was installed. Mann had then questioned the rules, objecting to Jassi’s song Jathedar.

According to the Sikh code of conduct, no person with unshorn hair can sing from a stage where the Guru Granth has been installed.

In 2024, former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was summoned and declared tankhaiya — guilty of violating the Sikh religious code.

Former chief minister Prakash Singh Badal was also summoned to the Akal Takht on October 4, 1979.

Story continues below this ad

Former president Giani Zail Singh, the late Akali leader and former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala, and former Union home minister and Congress leader Buta Singh were also among those summoned by the Akal Takht. They later declared tankhaiya by the Akal Takht in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple in 1984.

In 2014, Bikram Singh Majithia, then an Akali Dal minister, was summoned and declared tankhaiya for tampering with the Guru Granth Sahib—the Sikhs’ holy text—during a speech in Amritsar in favour of BJP Lok Sabha candidate Arun Jaitley.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...