Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appeared before the Akal Takht Secretariat here on Thursday (Jan 15, 2026) after being summoned by the interim supreme seat for Sikhs for his alleged remarks on Sikh traditions and principles and submitted his explanation.
Mr. Mann offered prayers at the Golden Temple before appearing outside the Takht Secretariat, where he was present for more than an hour.
The chief minister later told the media that he submitted his explanations to the acting jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj. Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh was present along with Jathedar Gargaj at the Secretariat, sources said.
Mr. Mann, who was carrying a suitcase containing some documents which he produced at the venue, said, “According to the orders of the Jathedar Sahib, I have appeared here as a humble Sikh and given my explanation in response to the questions raised.”
“Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the highest authority for the entire Sikh community and it is the highest for me as well. Jathedar Sahib has recorded my statement and further steps will be taken after consulting the ‘Singh Sahibans’ (Sikh clergy).
“I will follow every decision of Jathedar Sahib. My performance here has given me immense satisfaction, inner peace and satisfaction.” On 5 January 2026, Jathedar Gargajj summoned Mr Mann for allegedly commenting on the ‘Guru ki Golak’ (gurdwara gift box) and “misbehaving” with pictures of Sikh gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
When asked about the comments made by jathedar last week on certain videos circulating on social media, Mr Mann claimed they were fake or created by AI, which “could be verified in any forensic lab”.
The chief minister said that he had submitted 25,000 to 30,000 pages of grievances to the jathedar as a champion of the sentiments of millions of people.
“The complaints reflect the emotions of people who have flagged various anomalies in the functioning of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee). I have humbly requested Jathedar Sahib to investigate the complaints as sentiments of millions are attached to them.”
“Institutions are always supreme, while the individuals who run them can err. Such individuals deserve no leniency for their misdeeds,” he said.
Mr Mann joins a long list of prominent politicians who have been called by the highest secular authority for Sikhs in the past.
From former Chief Ministers Surjit Singh Barnala and Parkash Singh Badal to former President of India Zail Singh and former Union Minister Butu Singh, the list of leaders who have come before the Takht for penance includes some important names.
Last week, Mr. Gargajj said that since Mann is a ‘patit’ (a Sikh who cuts his hair) and cannot be brought before the facade of the Akal Takht Sahib, he has been summoned to appear in person at the Takht Secretariat to give an explanation.
Ahead of his speech, Mr Mann said there was a false impression on social media that he was questioning the authority of the Akal Takht.
Mr. Mann told reporters that he did not even think of it because the authority of the Akal Takht is supreme.
Mr Gajrajj claimed last week that Mr Mann had deliberately expressed an “anti-Sikh mentality” and had repeatedly made “undesirable” comments against the principle of “dasvand”, or “tithe”, the practice of donating 10% of earnings to a place of worship.
Referring to some “inappropriate videos” doing the rounds on social media, Mr. Gargajj alleged that Mr. Mann’s actions towards pictures of Sikh gurus and Bhindranwala were disrespectful.
However, Mr Mann said the videos were fake. He also expressed his gratitude to the jathedar for presenting him two important books related to “Sikh Rehat Maryada” (code of conduct) and Gurdwara Act.
Asked about the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the 328 missing ‘saroops’ (scripture) of the Guru Granth Sahib, Mr Mann clarified that it was not a political move.
“The SIT was set up solely to trace the missing saroops. Its mandate is strictly limited to tracking them so that they are not misused,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that he has asked jathedar Gajrajje to direct the SGPC to provide unique codes assigned to each saroop it has posted to facilitate tracing of missing saroops.
Published – 15 Jan 2026 22:25 IST
