Bhagwant Mann viral video a religious issue, not political: Sunil Jakhar
Synopsis
The Akal Takht has declared Bhagwant Mann’s viral video authentic and labelled him ‘Guru Dokhi’ — and now former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar is framing it not as an opposition attack but as a Sikh religious reckoning, invoking history to warn that those who challenged the Akal Takht have never survived politically.
Key Takeaways
Former Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar posted on X on 24 June , calling the Bhagwant Mann viral video a religious, not political, issue.
Akal Takht declared the video ‘authentic’ and labelled Chief Minister Mann as ‘Guru Dokhi’ .
Jakhar invoked the Sikh principle ‘Sees Diya Par Sirar Na Diya’ and compared Mann’s position to that of Arvind Kejriwal before his Delhi defeat.
Allegations of a fabricated forensic report to clear Mann reportedly led to arrests by Haryana Police .
Opposition parties including the BJP have demanded Bhagwant Mann’s resignation.
Former Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday, 24 June framed the controversy surrounding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's viral video as a matter of religious sentiment rather than political rivalry, posting a detailed statement on X that invoked the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and challenged Mann to seek a fresh public mandate.
What Jakhar Said
In his post, Jakhar wrote: “Bhagwant Mann’s viral video is not a political issue at all. It concerns the religious sentiments of the Nanak Naam Leva Sangat. The real issue is how an arrogant individual is challenging the supreme Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”
He pressed further, asking whether a Sikh could tolerate a person accused of disrespecting the Guru Sahiban continuing to hold office “on the land of the Gurus.” Jakhar argued that such a situation would weaken Punjab’s moral standing to defend faith globally.
Invoking the Sikh principle ‘Sees Diya Par Sirar Na Diya’ — meaning one may give one’s head but never surrender one’s principles — Jakhar drew a direct parallel with former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal’s electoral defeat in Delhi, suggesting Mann should resign and face the electorate. “This grave sin cannot be escaped through the power of office,” he wrote.
The Viral Video Controversy
The controversy centres on a video that allegedly shows Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a manner deemed disrespectful to Sikh religious symbols. Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, declared the video “authentic” and labelled Mann as “Guru Dokhi” — a term denoting one who betrays the Guru.
Opposition parties, including the BJP, have demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation. The situation escalated further with allegations that a fabricated forensic report was produced to clear Mann, a development that reportedly led to arrests by Haryana Police.
Jakhar’s Broader Warning
The former Punjab BJP chief said it was “deeply unfortunate” that someone born on Punjab’s soil and familiar with its religious history had, according to him, become “so intoxicated by power” as to challenge Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He added that historically, those who confronted the Akal Takht had “eventually lost their very existence.”
What Happens Next
The controversy shows no sign of abating, with the Akal Takht’s declaration and the forensic report allegations adding institutional weight to what began as a social media storm. How the AAP government in Punjab responds to the Akal Takht’s position — and whether Mann addresses the matter publicly — will likely determine the political trajectory of this dispute in the days ahead.
Point of View
Jakhar is shrewdly removing it from the terrain where AAP can deploy its usual anti-BJP narrative. The Akal Takht’s intervention is the critical variable: institutional religious authority in Punjab carries weight that no opposition press conference can replicate. The forensic report allegations, if substantiated, would transform this from a reputational crisis into a governance scandal. The AAP’s silence or deflection on the Akal Takht’s ‘Guru Dokhi’ declaration — rather than Jakhar’s post — is the real story to watch.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhagwant Mann viral video controversy?
A video allegedly showing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a manner disrespectful to Sikh religious symbols went viral, triggering widespread outrage. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, declared the video authentic and labelled Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’, meaning one who betrays the Guru.
What did Sunil Jakhar say about the viral video?
Former Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar said in an X post on 24 June that the issue is not political but concerns the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. He invoked Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s authority and called on Mann to resign and seek a fresh public mandate, as Kejriwal had done in Delhi.
What is the significance of the Akal Takht’s declaration?
The Akal Takht is the supreme temporal authority in Sikhism, and its declaration carries significant religious and social weight in Punjab. Being labelled ‘Guru Dokhi’ by the Akal Takht is among the gravest censures a Sikh can face, making this far more than a routine political controversy.
What are the allegations about the forensic report?
Reports allege that a fabricated forensic report was produced to clear Chief Minister Mann of the charges stemming from the viral video. These allegations reportedly led to arrests by Haryana Police, adding a criminal dimension to the controversy.
Has Bhagwant Mann responded to the resignation demands?
As of the latest reports, opposition parties including the BJP have demanded Mann’s resignation, but no formal response from the Chief Minister addressing the Akal Takht’s declaration or the resignation calls has been reported.
