The political fight in Punjab has become stronger after a controversial video linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann created a major debate. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has now said that two government-recognised forensic laboratories have found that the man seen in the viral video is not Bhagwant Mann.
This statement came only a few days after the Akal Takht issued an order asking the Sikh community to socially boycott Mann over the same video. The matter has now become serious, with both sides making different claims.
On Thursday, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed the media in Chandigarh and shared details about the forensic reports. He said that the reports were prepared by two independent laboratories recognised by the Government of India.
According to Cheema, experts studied the video from 1,191 different angles. They carefully checked many details such as facial features, height, body language, walking style, speaking style, and posture.
Cheema said these reports clearly prove that the person seen in the video is not Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
He also said that the labs are outside Punjab and are completely independent. This, he said, makes the reports more trustworthy.
AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu was also present during the press conference.
Cheema strongly claimed that the viral video was “fake” and part of a planned conspiracy to damage Bhagwant Mann’s image.
He said the party would take strict action against those who created and spread the video.
The controversy started after a complaint was filed on January 4. The complaint said the video showed a person insulting Sikh religious symbols, including Guru ki Golak (donation box in gurdwaras) and pictures of Sikh Gurus and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
This complaint led to Mann being called before the Akal Takht.
Bhagwant Mann had already denied the video earlier this week. He said the video was false and misleading. He also said that the person in the video does not look like him.
Mann said that neither the face, nor the body shape of the person matches him. He accused some people of spreading lies to hurt his reputation.
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The issue became even bigger on Monday when the Akal Takht declared Bhagwant Mann as “Guru Dokhi” and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi.” These are serious terms in the Sikh community.
The Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, said their decision was based on forensic checks which, according to them, showed no sign of tampering in the video.
This created confusion because now both sides are talking about forensic reports but reaching opposite conclusions.
AAP has blamed the Shiromani Akali Dal for spreading the video. Harpal Singh Cheema said the opposition is trying to defame the chief minister for political reasons.
He claimed that anti-Punjab forces are behind this plan because they are unhappy with the Mann government’s recent decision to bring the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act.
Cheema said this law is important for protecting the dignity of the Guru Granth Sahib, and some groups may be trying to create trouble because of it.
He said AAP will not stay silent and will fully investigate who made the video.
Later on Thursday, an AAP delegation met Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. The delegation included Harpal Singh Cheema, Punjab AAP president Aman Arora, and Baltej Pannu.
They submitted the forensic reports to the DGP and demanded strict action against those involved in creating and sharing the alleged fake video.
AAP leaders said the police should quickly identify all people connected to this case.
The controversy has now become both political and religious, making it very sensitive in Punjab.
Supporters of Bhagwant Mann say the forensic reports prove his innocence and that he is being targeted unfairly.
On the other hand, some religious groups are waiting for more clarity before changing their stand.
Experts believe this issue may continue for some time, especially if more evidence comes out.
The final truth will likely depend on further investigation by police and possibly more technical examination of the video.
For now, the matter remains highly tense.
The case shows how viral videos can quickly create major political and social problems, especially when religion is involved.
It also raises important questions about fake content, digital manipulation, and how such videos can affect public trust.
As the investigation moves forward, all eyes are on the Punjab Police and whether they can find out who made and shared the controversial clip.
Until then, the debate around Bhagwant Mann and the viral video is far from over.
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