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Mann seeks live telecast of Akal Takht appearance, breaks past precedent

Chief minister’s request to present evidence publicly raises questions over political conduct before Sikh clergy

4 min readAmritsarUpdated: Jan 8, 2026 08:47 PM IST

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. (File photo).

Departing from established precedent, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has outlined his own plan for appearing before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat on January 15.

On Thursday, Mann took to Facebook to request Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj to arrange a live telecast of his appearance and indicated that he would place evidence before the Sikh clergy.

In one of two Facebook posts, Mann wrote, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s summons accepted. Appeal to Jathedar Ji, as per sangat’s demand, live telecast of my clarification should be done.”

In another post, he said messages were pouring in from across the world asking that his January 15 appearance, during which he would present details related to the golak donation box as demanded by the sangat, be telecast live. “Understanding the sentiments of the global sangat, I humbly request Jathedar Sahib to arrange a direct live broadcast of my clarification so that the sangat remains connected every moment with every penny. See you on the 15th with evidences,” he wrote.

While politicians have appeared before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib in the past, none has enjoyed the liberty to present arguments, engage in debate, or set conditions. Whether an appearance is telecast live or held in private has traditionally remained at the discretion of the Akal Takht Jathedar.

Former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal appeared before the Akal Takht on December 2, 2024. During the hearing, Badal and his associate Daljit Singh Cheema attempted to make submissions, but then Jathedars Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Harpreet Singh confined them to yes or no answers. The proceedings were telecast live.

More recently, Punjab Cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who like Mann does not keep unshorn hair, presented his clarification at the Akal Takht after being summoned in connection with the observance of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur.

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In 2017, around 44 politicians from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the Congress were summoned by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib for seeking votes from Dera Sirsa followers during the Assembly elections. More than 40 appeared. Twenty one politicians with unshorn hair were directed to clean the heritage road leading to the Golden Temple as a collective act of penance. They also performed volunteer service, including cleaning utensils, shoes and floors inside the Golden Temple for a day, and organised an Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib to seek forgiveness. They were paraded before the Akal Takht.

Politicians without unshorn hair were not paraded and were instead directed to perform similar volunteer service for 10 days at any gurdwara in their constituencies. Hearings involving Giani Gurbachan Singh, Mal Singh and Iqbal Singh were held privately in the basement of the Akal Takht office, with the media barred from entry. At the time, then Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh had objected to closed door hearings and demanded that all politicians be presented openly before the Akal Takht.

Bhagwant Mann has been summoned over his remarks on the golak donation box, alleged violations of the Sikh code of conduct, and a video purportedly showing disrespect to images of Sikh Gurus. Sources said the Akal Takht is considering a forensic examination of the video. While decisions on Mann’s remarks related to the golak and code of conduct are said to be largely settled, the outcome on the video is expected to depend on the forensic report.

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

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