CHANDIGARH: The governing AAP on Thursday claimed that reports from two “independent” laboratories “outside Punjab” have established that the man seen in an alleged sacrilege video was not chief minister Bhagwant Mann, and demanded a probe into an alleged conspiracy to defame him.The move comes three days after Akal Takht declared Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ (anti-Guru) and ‘Panth Virodhi’ (antiPanth) while claiming that reports from two govt-approved forensic laboratories had verified the video as genuine and not AI-generated.At a press conference in Mohali, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the two new forensic reports. He did not specify the names of the laboratories, saying details would remain part of an investigation. The party submitted a complaint with the DGP seeking a probe.In a video statement on Thursday, Mann said, “These reports are from outside Punjab. Both relate to the same video. The video contains 1,191 frames, and all of them were examined. Not a single frame matches my face, profile, eyes, height, build, or physical characteristics. This clearly shows that someone created a fake video with the sole intention of defaming me.” “Someone has allegedly used an actor, someone imitating me with a similar hairstyle and appearance, and after some unknown kind of investigation, they have declared me an enemy of the Panth. This is nothing but open political propaganda,” the CM added.Directed DGP to trace origins, creators of ‘fake’ video: MannCabinet ministers Harpal Cheema, and Aman Arora, and state media in-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday met Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav to submit a formal complaint along with copies of the two new forensic reports. They demanded a probe and strict action against “those involved in creating, circulating, and amplifying the fabricated video on social media”.CM Mann also cited the reports to reiterate his innocence. “What surprises me is that the self-appointed custodians of religion and political figures, who appointed their own favourites to key positions, have now attached my name to a fake video. I am not even in that video. Someone has allegedly used an actor, someone imitating me with a similar hairstyle and appearance, and after some unknown kind of investigation, they have declared me an enemy of the Panth. This is nothing but open political propaganda,” Mann said.The CM said he has directed the DGP to investigate the origins of the video. “Whoever carried out this act — who arranged the shooting, who paid for it, in which room it was filmed, and where in the world it was produced. Those responsible should be brought before the Sikh congregation, and then the Guru Nanak-following sangat can decide,” he said.Asserting his respect for the religious institution, Mann said, “Akal Takht Sahib is supreme and we bow before it. However, such decisions being announced from Akal Takht in this manner have not been accepted by many people. I appeal to the Guru Nanak-following sangat not to fall for these conspiracies. These people are only trying to regain their lost political positions by using religion as a tool.”
