Bathinda, Jun 23 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said Akal Takht is supreme for every Punjabi and Sikh, but alleged that some people were attempting to misuse the revered institution for their vested interests.
Addressing a public gathering during a ‘lok milni’ (public interaction) programme at Mandi Kalan village in Bathinda district, Mann said he had paid obeisance at Sri Akal Takht Sahib because of its importance in Sikhism, but expressed concern over what he termed as attempts by certain elements to use the institution for political purposes.
Earlier this month, the Akal Takht declared Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ (anti-Guru) and ‘Khalsa Panth virodhi’ (anti-Khalsa Panth) over a video circulating on social media, purportedly
showing a man resembling Mann indulging in “objectionable activities” with the pictures of the Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The edict came after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj claimed that the video was neither tinkered with nor AI-generated.
Mann rejected the video, saying it was “false propaganda” aimed at defaming him.
The matter stems from the summoning of Mann by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, in January this year for allegedly making comments on ‘Guru ki Golak’ (gurdwara donation box) and in a purported video clip.
Meanwhile, the chief minister on Tuesday reiterated his demand for immediate elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), saying it had been 14 years since the last elections were held.
He said religious institutions should not remain under the control of people who, according to him, had exploited faith for political gains.
Launching a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Badal family, Mann accused them of misusing religion for political benefits and patronising various mafias, including those linked to drugs, transport and sand mining.
He alleged that the previous Akali leadership had caused significant damage to Punjab and its people.
Referring to the recently enacted Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, Mann said the legislation provides stringent punishment for sacrilege cases.
He said those found guilty could face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50 lakh.
The law, he added, would serve as a strong deterrent against acts of desecration.
The chief minister also announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for development works in Mandi Kalan village.
He said a new library would be established and a 55-year-old dharamshala in the village would be renovated.
Highlighting the welfare measures of his government, Mann said the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna would be launched from July 1.
Under the scheme, women above 18 years of age will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while women belonging to Scheduled Caste families will receive Rs 1,500 per month.
He said more than 90 per cent of households in Punjab were receiving free electricity and farmers were now getting daytime power supply for irrigation.
Mann also claimed that over 68,000 government jobs had been provided without corruption since his government assumed office.
On irrigation, the chief minister said canal water utilisation had increased from 22 per cent to over 80 per cent under his government.
He added that around 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses had been laid across the state to strengthen irrigation infrastructure.
Mann further claimed that Punjab had emerged as the top-performing state in primary and middle-school education, surpassing Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi.
He attributed the achievement to improvements in school infrastructure, smart classrooms and teacher training programmes.
The chief minister also highlighted the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, under which health cards are being issued to 65 lakh families, providing cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh annually.
According to him, more than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards and availed treatment worth around Rs 650 crore under the scheme. PTI VSD KSS KSS
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