Bhagwant Mann Video Row: A Test for Punjab’s New Anti-Beadbi Law

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is facing a major political and religious controversy over a viral video that allegedly shows a man holding a glass of liquor in front of portraits of Sikh Gurus and other revered Sikh figures.

The clip, which circulated widely on social media, allegedly shows liquor splashing onto the portraits, triggering outrage among Sikh organisations and opposition parties, who described it as a serious act of beadbi, or disrespect towards the Gurus.

For Sikhs, alcohol has no place near sacred religious symbols or spaces. Bringing liquor before portraits of Sikh Gurus is widely regarded as a violation of Sikh Maryada, the Sikh code of conduct.

As the controversy intensified, the matter reached the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community. A five-member panel led by officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj took up the matter after complaints were lodged over the viral footage.

The central question before the Akal Takht was whether the video was genuine and whether the individual seen in it was Bhagwant Mann.

After being summoned by the Akal Takht Sahib and asked to explain the contents of the viral footage, Mann maintained that the video had been generated using artificial intelligence. However, after examining the material before it, the Akal Takht rejected that explanation, declared the video to be genuine and pronounced Mann "Guru Dokhi" and "Khalsa Panth Virodhi."

Following the verdict, the Punjab government released what it described as forensic reports claiming that the video was AI-generated and that the individual seen in the footage was not Bhagwant Mann. Punjab AAP relied on these reports to reject the Akal Takht's findings and accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of attempting to politically target the Chief Minister.

However, the controversy deepened after subsequent investigations allegedly found that the forensic reports themselves had been fabricated. According to investigators, the laboratories cited in support of the reports either did not exist in the manner claimed or were falsely represented.

Acting on evidence allegedly gathered during the investigation-including WhatsApp communications, digital records, video material and on-ground verification of the purported laboratories, Gurugram Police registered an FIR and arrested individuals allegedly involved in preparing the forged forensic reports.

The investigation has also reportedly uncovered the involvement of personnel linked to the Punjab Police in the preparation and circulation of the disputed forensic documents. These allegations are currently under investigation and have not been adjudicated by any court.

The developments have shifted the controversy beyond the authenticity of the original video to the credibility of the forensic evidence relied upon by the Punjab government. Critics argue that if the reports were indeed fabricated, it raises serious concerns over the alleged misuse of state funds to create and circulate forged forensic evidence in an attempt to mislead religious, constitutional and public institutions.

Bhagwant Mann's public explanations have also evolved over the course of the controversy. He initially maintained that the video was AI-generated before later asserting that the individual seen in it was wearing a prosthetic mask resembling him.

The controversial viral video has assumed greater significance because Punjab has recently enacted tougher anti-sacrilege legislation.

Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given assent to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The law strengthens punishment for sacrilege and conspiracy to commit sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, prescribing imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life along with a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh.

The Bill was unanimously passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13.

This now raises the central political question: if the Punjab government has introduced one of the country's toughest anti-sacrilege laws, will the same standards apply if allegations are made against the sitting Chief Minister?

Legally, the issue is more nuanced. The Act specifically addresses sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib. Whether alleged disrespect towards portraits of Sikh Gurus falls within its scope would require legal examination. It would also have to be conclusively established that Mann is the individual seen in the video before any criminal proceedings could arise.

The political question, however, remains.

If the Akal Takht's findings are accepted and it is ultimately established that Bhagwant Mann is the person in the viral footage, will Punjab Police invoke the same anti-sacrilege law enacted by his own government?

For opposition parties and several Sikh organisations, the controversy has become a test of whether Punjab's anti-sacrilege law will be enforced equally against those in power or only against ordinary citizens and political opponents.