New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) As the row over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's purported video intensifies, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has called for his arrest, raising strong objections over the recent reports of Punjab officials allegedly forcing "fabricated" forensic reports of the clip. The Delhi Minister also cited arrests and cases against those who submitted a "fabricated" forensic report, calling it an attempt to "suppress a matter hurting Sikh sentiments". Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here on Wednesday, Sirsa levelled serious allegations regarding Punjab politics and a controversy concerning the Sikh faith.

"The five 'Singh Sahibans' (high priests) of the Akal Takht Sahib issued an order directing that no Sikh should maintain any association with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann... This order was issued following the emergence of a video showing Bhagwant Mann splashing alcohol onto the sacred image of the 'Guru Sahibans'," he said. He noted that the surfacing of this video has caused "deep anguish and resentment" within the global Sikh community, as "no Sikh can tolerate the disrespect shown to the 'Guru Sahibans'." "On January 5, 2026, the Akal Takht Sahib had summoned Bhagwant Mann and allowed him to present his side. At that time, Bhagwant Mann had claimed that the video was created using AI and was not genuine. However, subsequent forensic examinations conducted by two separate agencies revealed that the video was entirely authentic," Sirsa said.

Following this, the Delhi Minister said that on June 15, 2026, the Akal Takht Sahib declared Bhagwant Mann a 'Guru-drohi' (traitor to the Guru) and an 'adversary of the Khalsa Panth', expelling him from the Sikh community. An order was also issued directing Sikhs worldwide not to maintain any form of relationship with him. "Instead of Bhagwant Mann expressing remorse, his minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, held a press conference on June 18, 2026, claiming that the video was fake," Sirsa stated. The Minister claimed that a forensic report was prepared after examining 1,191 frames, concluding that the video was not AI-generated, although certain parts of the video remained a subject of dispute.

Sirsa also alleged that Swapan Sharma, a Haryana Commissioner close to Bhagwant Mann, held a meeting at a hotel, alongside SP Jashandeep and through an intermediary named Harpreet, regarding matters linked to the Gurugram forensic lab. He claimed that a financial transaction took place during this meeting, and a fabricated forensic report was procured using the Aam Aadmi Party's alleged "black money" in an attempt to discredit the video.

"This entire affair reflects a disregard for Sikh sentiments, as certain individuals are attempting to construct a false narrative through the power of money... These activities constitute an attempt to challenge the supremacy of the Akal Takht Sahib," he added. During the press conference, the Delhi Minister added that the "mindset currently visible in Punjab mirrors the oppressive mentality of the Mughal era". He also targeted Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal and his associates, stating that the party and its leaders are "acting against the sentiments of the Sikh community and the Akal Takht" by commissioning "fabricated reports using financial clout". "The entire endeavour is an attempt to undermine the supremacy of the Akal Takht," Sirsa added.

--IANS