Speaking first time on the allegations after a controversial video surfaced, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has denied being the person seen in the video cited by Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj in declaring him a “Guru Dokhi” (betrayer of the Guru) and “Panth Virodhi” (opponent of the Sikh community).

In a video message, Mann said he holds Akal Takht Sahib in the highest regard but accused current office-bearers of acting at the behest of political interests to defame him.

Mann said he had already appeared before the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat and clarified that the individual shown in the video was not him, arguing that the person's physical appearance did not match his own.