Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his reported reference to a turban as “nakli” or fake, calling the remark unfortunate and alleging that it insulted the Sikh Gurus and the people of Punjab. Saini demanded that Mann apologise for the comment, stressing the religious and cultural importance of the turban in Sikh tradition.

Saini made the remarks while speaking to the media after inducting several leaders into the Bharatiya Janata Party at his official residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, in Chandigarh. He said the turban, also known as the dastar, represents respect, faith, belief and reverence for the Sikh Gurus. According to him, it is a tradition bestowed upon the Sikh community by the Gurus and holds a deeply respected position in Sikh religious and cultural life.

“If Bhagwant Mann is calling this turban ‘nakli’, then he should go to the place where our Gurus adorned this dastar and apologise,” Saini said. He argued that the remark should not be treated as an ordinary political statement because of the significance attached to the turban by the Sikh community. He also said Mann should apologise directly to the people of Punjab for what he described as an insult to their faith and traditions.

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The Haryana chief minister further referred to the sacrifices made by the Sikh Gurus, saying those sacrifices had helped establish the freedoms and values enjoyed by people today. He said his government was being run in accordance with the teachings and principles given by the Gurus. Saini maintained that the turban’s importance extended beyond its appearance or use as an item of clothing and was closely linked to Sikh identity, dignity and religious belief.

Saini reiterated that Mann should apologise both to the Gurus and to the people of Punjab. He said the turban could not be dismissed as fake or insignificant given its place in Sikh tradition. His comments came amid a political controversy surrounding Mann’s remarks, with Saini focusing on the need to respect symbols associated with the Sikh faith and the sentiments of the community.

Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and other dignitaries were present at the BJP induction event where Saini spoke. The Haryana chief minister’s statement adds to the criticism directed at Mann over the remark, while emphasising that discussions involving religious symbols should be handled with sensitivity. Saini maintained that an apology was necessary in view of the reverence attached to the dastar and the offence the comment had allegedly caused.

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