‘Sangat can stay connected’: Ahead of his appearance before Akal Takht, Punjab CM Mann demands a live telecast

पूरी दुनिया से मुझे संदेश आ रहे हैं कि 15 जनवरी को जब संगत की ओर से गोलक का हिसाब-किताब लेकर जाएंगे… सभी चैनलों पर live telecast होना चाहिए… मैं भी दुनिया भर की संगत की भावनाओं को समझते हुए जत्थेदार साहिब से निवेदन करता हूँ कि मेरे स्पष्टीकरण का सीधा प्रसारण किया जाए, ताकि…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) January 8, 2026

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, and to explain his statement, in which he asked people not to put money in donation boxes.

The summons came 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.

“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, the Punjab chief minister was asked to submit his response to the Akal Takht Secretariat.

On the same day, the CM announced that he would appear before the Akal Takht.