Raghav Chadha demands Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s resignation in video row
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP in Rajya Sabha Raghav Chadha has demanded the resignation of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann over a purported video which created political uproar for hurting sentiments of the Sikh, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of fabricating a forensic report to cover up the incident.Addressing the controversy, Chadha claimed that any doubts over the authenticity of the video had now been dispelled. “Those who had even a slight doubt about whether this desecration video was real, AI-generated or fake have now been cleared of all doubts and suspicions,” he said.”Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party had to fabricate a forensic report to conceal the actual desecration video…The entire Sikh community, the Guru Nanak Naamleva community, is hurt, angry, and enraged today,” he added.Claiming that the issue had deeply hurt religious sentiments, Chadha said the Sikh community and followers of Guru Nanak were “hurt, angry and enraged” over the matter.He also called for a probe into the circumstances under which the forensic report was obtained. According to Chadha, investigators should examine which officials were involved, whether public funds were misused, and if any financial irregularities, including possible money laundering, were linked to the report. “The entire Sikh community, the Guru Nanak Naamleva community, is hurt, angry, and enraged today…An investigation should also be conducted into how this fabricated forensic report was procured. Which officers were involved? Which government money or private money was used to bribe this report? Does this also constitute money laundering?” he said.”Misuse of government funds. All these things are now under investigation, and investigation and action must be taken on this matter…Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann should resign. Under the new sacrilege law, the first FIR and the first prosecution should be against Bhagwant Mann himself,” he added. The controversy centres on a purported video that allegedly shows Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann engaging in conduct considered disrespectful towards Sikh Gurus. While AAP has maintained that the video is either manipulated or taken out of context, the opposition BJP and Sikh religious bodies have accused Mann of sacrilege and hurting Sikh sentiments.The row intensified after Gurugram Police began investigating allegations that a forensic report, which reportedly sought to discredit the video, was procured through a Rs 10 lakh payment. BJP leaders have alleged that there was an attempt to suppress the controversy using money and state machinery, charges denied by AAP.The issue also reached the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, which summoned Mann and took action in connection with the alleged incident. The BJP has since demanded legal action against the Punjab chief minister, accusing him of disrespecting Sikh religious sentiments and attempting to cover up the matter.
