Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday, 25 June publicly presented evidence in Mohali exposing what he described as a coordinated conspiracy to circulate a fabricated video on social media aimed at damaging his image on religious grounds. The Chief Minister displayed videos and supporting material before the media, asserting that a mask resembling him was procured and used to produce the deceptive footage.

Key Evidence Presented

Mann identified Canada-based Jagman Samra as the individual who allegedly used the mask to shoot the video. According to the Chief Minister, the mask was delivered to Samra in a car, and Samra was subsequently seen holding it. Mann further stated that the fake video was filmed at a hotel in Canada, pointing out that he has not visited the country since 2016. He also noted that the mask was clearly visible in the footage and that a neck surgery scar he carries was conspicuously absent — details he said confirmed the video's fabricated nature. The makers of the video, he added, had been identified and would be formally exposed after verification.

Akal Takht and Religious Controversy

Mann announced that the entire evidence would be placed before the Akal Takht — the supreme temporal seat of Sikh authority. He reaffirmed his respect for the institution, saying, 'When I was called to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, I went there as a humble Sikh. Even today, if I am called, I will appear without hesitation. I can never challenge the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, nor do I have the stature to do so.'

The Chief Minister alleged that religious directives had been sought and issued purely for political gain. 'Political masters are using people occupying religious positions to make announcements according to their convenience in an attempt to defame me religiously because they cannot compete with me politically,' he said.

SGPC and Opposition Under Scrutiny

Mann questioned the role of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), noting that boards had been put up outside Gurdwaras calling for a boycott of him, purportedly in the name of orders from Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He drew a pointed contrast: 'Why were such boards not put up against Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal when he was declared 'Tankhaiya'? Why were people not asked to boycott those held responsible for 'beadbi' incidents and police firing?' He also questioned the SGPC President's neutrality, citing the latter's own statement that he was 'a soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal rather than Guru Gobind Singh-ji.'

Government Record and Political Context

Defending his administration's track record, Mann cited a series of decisions by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab — including the passage of a strict anti-beadbi law, waiving tax on vehicles carrying Palki Sahib, holding a Vidhan Sabha session in Anandpur Sahib during the 350th Shaheedi Diwas celebrations, and granting 'holy city' status to three sacred cities. He argued that opposition parties, unable to counter these decisions politically, had united with the sole objective of targeting him through false videos. 'That will never happen,' he said.

This comes amid a broader pattern of deepfake and manipulated video controversies targeting political figures across India, raising questions about the regulation of AI-generated content on social media platforms. The matter is expected to escalate further once the evidence is formally presented before the Akal Takht.