New Delhi: BJP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha on Thursday demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and called for an FIR against him under the Anti-Sacrilege Law due to an alleged controversy involving an objectionable video.
Speaking to reporters, Chadha said the truth behind the sacrilege-related video involving Bhagwant Mann, which he alleged was attempted to be concealed through a fabricated forensic report by the Punjab government, has now been exposed.
“The truth behind the sacrilege video involving Guru-Dhokhi Bhagwant Mann, which was sought to be concealed through a fabricated forensic report by Bhagwant Mann and the Punjab government, has now come out in the open,” he said.
He further claimed that doubts regarding whether the video was real or artificially generated have now been cleared.
“One thing has become very clear. Those who were confused about whether the video was real or AI-generated, fake or genuine, now have clarity. If the video was not real, there would have been no need for Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party to commission a fabricated forensic report to hide it,” Chadha alleged.
The BJP leader also accused the Aam Aadmi Party of hurting religious sentiments and targeting religious institutions.
“It is unfortunate that the AAP government challenged Akal Takht Sahib and made several objectionable remarks. They also ran paid social media campaigns against it. Obscene remarks were made, and the entire Sikh community has been hurt,” he said.
Chadha further questioned Sikh legislators within the ruling party, asking whether they stood with the Sikh religious leadership or with the Chief Minister.
“I want to ask all Sikh MLAs whether they have faith in Sikh principles or whether they are standing with Bhagwant Mann, who is allegedly acting against the Gurus. They must choose,” he said.
He also demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged manipulation of forensic evidence.
“There should be a detailed investigation into how the fabricated report was procured and which officers were involved. Does it also involve money laundering? Everything is now under the scanner and must be investigated,” he added.
Chadha further demanded accountability and legal action.
“The Sikh community is demanding two things today. First, Bhagwant Mann, who is allegedly acting against Sikh principles and Gurus, should immediately resign as Chief Minister. Second, an FIR should be registered against him under the Anti-Sacrilege Law,” he said.
Meanwhile, political tension continues to mount in Punjab following the controversy surrounding the viral video allegedly showing objectionable conduct involving Sikh religious imagery.
The Akal Takht had recently declared Bhagwant Mann “anti-Sikh” in connection with the matter, further intensifying the political and religious fallout.
In response, the Punjab government had earlier presented a forensic report claiming the video was doctored and that the individual in the footage was not the Chief Minister, asserting that it was circulated to malign him.
However, the situation took a new turn after Gurugram Police registered a case and arrested individuals allegedly involved in forging the forensic report. Police have claimed that a wider conspiracy to manipulate digital evidence has been uncovered in relation to the case.
(IANS)
