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‘Nobody is above Sri Akal Takht’: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to appear before Jathedar amid tight security at Golden Temple

Bhagwant Mann is expected to arrive barefoot via the heritage path, and will first pay obeisance at the Golden Temple before appearing at the Akal Takht.

4 min readUpdated: Jan 15, 2026 03:33 PM IST

Ahead of Bhagwant Mann's appearance, the police have put in place elaborate security arrangements.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to appear before acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj at the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat Thursday, after being summoned over his alleged remarks on the Sikh code of conduct and an objectionable video.

Chief Minister Mann is expected to arrive barefoot via the heritage path and will first pay obeisance at the Golden Temple before appearing at the Akal Takht between noon and 2 pm.

Ahead of Mann’s appearance, the police have put in place elaborate security arrangements around the Akal Takht Sahib and the Golden Temple complex. A heavy police deployment in civilian attire — white kurtas, pyjamas, and red turbans — has been stationed across the premises.

Also Read | Summoned for ‘hurting Sikh sentiments’ | Mann denies seeking change in timing: ‘Entire Jan 15 dedicated to Akal Takht’

Police personnel generally avoid wearing uniforms while on duty inside the Golden Temple, but this marks the first time kurtas and pyjamas have been adopted as a special-duty uniform. Special langar arrangements have also been made for the deployed personnel since Wednesday night.

‘All sides are responsible’

Sources said that, apart from the CM’s remarks and the alleged video, discussions during the interaction could also touch upon the issue of 328 missing saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib from Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) records, a matter linked to an FIR against 16 individuals.

Also Read | Akal Takht takes U-turn on 328 missing ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib, asks SGPC to support Punjab Police probe

Despite a cold and smoke-laden day in Amritsar, devotees continued to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and Sri Akal Takht Sahib without disruption.

Baldev Singh, a visitor from Muktsar who came to the Golden Temple to celebrate his daughter’s birthday, said, “It is good that CM Mann is coming as a humble Sikh. Nobody is above Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”

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Narinder Singh from Jalandhar said the responsibility lay with the Akal Takht leadership. “It will be on the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar to remain neutral. Otherwise, those who wish to harm Sikhs could take advantage of the situation,” he said.

Harmeet Singh from Amritsar described the situation as unfortunate. “All sides are responsible. Politicians are interested only in politics and try to use everything for their benefit. History shows that whoever has tried to use the Akal Takht Sahib for personal gain has faced consequences,” he said.

This is the third instance of a sitting Punjab chief minister being summoned by the Akal Takht. Parkash Singh Badal was summoned in 1979 following the Sikh-Nirankari clash, while Surjit Singh Barnala was declared tankhaiya or guilty of violating the Sikh religious code in 1986 over the Indian Army action at the Golden Temple.

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

Due to his scheduled appearance at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, CM Mann will be unable to attend an event at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar with President Droupadi Murmu. Officials said he will also not be able to receive the President at the airport, as he must reach the Akal Takht around noon.

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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