Akal Takht Action Linked Video Report Clarifies It Is Not Bhagwant Mann

A controversy involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and an alleged viral video has taken a fresh turn after a new forensic report released by the Punjab government contradicted earlier findings cited by the Akal Takht. The video, which allegedly shows a person resembling the Chief Minister sprinkling alcohol on images of Sikh Gurus, had triggered a strong religious and political backlash in the state. The latest report asserts that the individual seen in the footage is not Bhagwant Mann.

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhism, had earlier relied on two forensic examinations reportedly conducted by Government of India-recognised laboratories to conclude that the video was neither fake nor AI-generated. Based on these findings, the Akal Takht had declared Mann “anti-Guru” and accused him of misleading the religious institution. The decision sparked widespread debate and intensified political tensions in Punjab.

However, the Punjab government has now released a separate scientific analysis conducted by two laboratories outside the state, also recognised by central authorities. According to the report, a detailed frame-by-frame examination of 1,191 frames of the 39-second video revealed no match between the person in the footage and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The government has maintained that the Chief Minister was not involved in the video and has consistently rejected the allegations.

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The forensic findings highlighted significant differences in facial structure, posture, body build, and physical appearance between the individual in the video and Mann. The report also noted discrepancies in stance, shoulder structure, and movement patterns. It further estimated the height of the person in the video at around 5 feet 10 inches, while stating that Mann’s height is approximately 5 feet 8 inches. On the basis of these observations, the report concluded that the individual in the footage is not the Chief Minister.

The controversy has also drawn a sharp political response in Punjab, with Chief Minister Mann describing the allegations as part of a “false propaganda campaign” aimed at damaging his reputation. He has repeatedly denied any connection to the video and claimed it is either manipulated or AI-generated. Mann has also suggested that the controversy is politically motivated and linked to his government’s stance on key issues such as water sharing, agriculture, and youth-related policies.

Meanwhile, the Akal Takht’s earlier decision continues to fuel political and religious debate, with opposition parties including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and the Bharatiya Janata Party calling for accountability and demanding Mann’s resignation. As conflicting forensic reports circulate and investigations continue, the dispute has escalated into a wider confrontation involving religious authority, political leadership, and questions over digital authenticity in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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