Majithia calls Bhagwant Mann 'liar, alcoholic' over viral video row
Synopsis
The Akal Takht’s declaration of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann as ‘Guru Dokhi’ has transformed what began as a viral video controversy into a full-blown religious-political crisis. With SAD’s Majithia citing Mann’s own associates as the video’s source and alleging six months of unanswered queries, the AAP government’s silence on the Akal Takht’s ruling is now the story.
Key Takeaways
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia called Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann a ‘liar’ and ‘alcoholic’ on 24 June amid a viral video controversy.
The video allegedly shows Mann splashing liquor on portraits of Sikh Gurus ; Mann has claimed it is AI-generated.
Majithia alleged the video was originally shared by Mann’s own associate, Jagman Samra .
The Akal Takht reportedly asked Mann to name three verification laboratories; he did not respond, according to Majithia.
After approximately six months of no response, the Akal Takht declared Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ following independent verification of the video.
The AAP government has not yet issued a formal response to the Akal Takht’s ruling.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Wednesday, 24 June launched a sharp attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, calling him a “liar” and an “alcoholic” amid an escalating controversy over a viral video clip allegedly showing the CM in a compromising situation. The row has intensified following allegations that a forensic report connected to the video was fabricated.
What Majithia Said
Speaking to reporters, Majithia did not mince words. “The Chief Minister is shameless, a liar, and an alcoholic person. And we are not the ones saying this—his own children have said it. Why did his ex-wife leave him? Because of these very reasons,” he said.
The SAD leader further alleged that Mann had appeared drunk inside the Punjab Assembly, claiming that MLAs accompanying him had raised similar complaints. “He went to the Guru Ghar after consuming alcohol. These allegations have been made against him by his own family members and associates,” Majithia added.
The Religious Dimension
The controversy has taken on a significant religious dimension, with Majithia alleging that the video shows Mann splashing liquor on portraits of the Sikh Gurus. “For me, my religion comes first. The Guru Granth Sahib is everything for me, and the Akal Takht holds the utmost importance. Has a Chief Minister been given the right to challenge Sri Akal Takht Sahib?” he questioned.
Majithia claimed the video was originally shared by Mann’s own associate, Jagman Samra, which he said left the Akal Takht Jathedar with no option but to seek an explanation from the Chief Minister about its authenticity.
The AI-Generated Claim and Akal Takht’s Ruling
Mann has maintained that the video is AI-generated. However, Majithia alleged that when the Akal Takht asked the Chief Minister to identify three laboratories where the video could be independently verified, he did not respond. “If the Chief Minister was honest, he could have said that we have a state-run laboratory, CFSL, Chandigarh or Delhi,” Majithia said.
According to Majithia, after approximately six months without a satisfactory response, the video was independently verified and found to be genuine. The Akal Takht subsequently declared Mann as ‘Guru Dokhi’—a term denoting betrayal of the Sikh faith—a decision Majithia described as “absolutely correct.”
Political and Religious Stakes
The episode marks one of the most serious religious-political confrontations involving a sitting Punjab Chief Minister in recent memory. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, rarely issues such declarations against elected officials, making the ‘Guru Dokhi’ tag politically significant for Mann’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in a state where the Sikh community forms the majority.
Notably, this is not the first time Majithia has targeted Mann over conduct-related allegations, but the Akal Takht’s formal intervention has elevated the dispute well beyond routine political sparring. The AAP government has not yet issued a detailed response to the Akal Takht’s ruling, and how Mann chooses to respond—or not—to the religious body’s declaration is likely to define the next phase of this controversy.
Point of View
And its weight cannot be absorbed by silence. The AAP’s strategy of dismissing the video as AI-generated without engaging the Akal Takht’s verification request has backfired badly. In Punjab, where religious authority commands cross-partisan respect, a sitting Chief Minister being declared ‘Guru Dokhi’ is an electoral liability that no communication strategy can easily neutralise. The SAD’s use of this moment is opportunistic, but the underlying institutional challenge to Mann is real and self-inflicted.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the viral video controversy involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann?
A viral video clip allegedly shows Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a situation involving liquor and portraits of Sikh Gurus. Mann has denied the video’s authenticity, claiming it is AI-generated, but the Akal Takht declared him ‘Guru Dokhi’ after he reportedly failed to respond to requests for independent verification.
What does 'Guru Dokhi' mean and why is it significant?
‘Guru Dokhi’ is a term in Sikh tradition denoting betrayal or disrespect toward the Sikh Gurus. A declaration of this nature by the Akal Takht —the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority—is rare against a sitting elected official and carries serious religious and political consequences in Punjab .
What did Bikram Singh Majithia allege against Bhagwant Mann?
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia called Mann a ‘liar’ and ‘alcoholic,’ alleging he appeared drunk in the Punjab Assembly and at a Guru Ghar. Majithia also claimed the viral video was shared by Mann’s own associate, Jagman Samra , and that Mann ignored the Akal Takht’s request to name verification laboratories.
Why did the Akal Takht get involved in this controversy?
The Akal Takht Jathedar sought an explanation from CM Mann after the video surfaced, reportedly asking him to identify three laboratories for independent forensic verification. According to Majithia , after approximately six months of no response, the Akal Takht proceeded with its own verification and subsequently issued the ‘Guru Dokhi’ declaration.
How has the AAP government responded to the Akal Takht's ruling?
As of 24 June , the AAP government had not issued a detailed formal response to the Akal Takht’s ‘Guru Dokhi’ declaration. CM Mann has previously maintained that the viral video is AI-generated.
