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Amritsar/Chandigarh: Amid escalating tension between the Akal Takht and the Punjab government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has triggered a fresh controversy by publicly seeking a live telecast of his appearance before the Akal Takht Secretariat.

Mann has been summoned by the officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on January 15, to submit a clarification over allegations that his past conduct and remarks amounted to an “insult to Sikh principles and institutions.”

Reacting immediately to the summons, the Chief Minister had earlier stated that he would appear “barefoot, like a humble Sikh and not as Chief Minister”, signalling a symbolic gesture of humility before the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs.

Call for Live Telecast

On Sunday, Mann took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle in Punjabi and Hindi, requesting the Jathedar to allow live telecast of the proceedings at the Secretariat.

In his post, the Chief Minister said he had been receiving calls from across the world urging transparency, particularly in relation to the ‘Golak’ (offerings).
“Keeping in view the sentiments of the ‘Sangat’ across the globe, I request the Jathedar Sahib to allow live telecast of my clarification, so that the Sangat remains connected with every moment and every penny,” Mann wrote, adding, “See you on January 15.”

The Akal Takht’s response to this demand was still awaited at the time of filing this report.

No Precedent for Live Broadcast

Sources within Sikh religious circles said there is no precedent for live broadcasting of proceedings held within the four walls of the Akal Takht Secretariat, citing the sanctity and decorum of the institution.

An official familiar with Akal Takht procedures said that while proceedings inside the Secretariat are usually videographed, the recordings are meant strictly for internal records and are rarely made public.

“Meetings of the Five Sikh High Priests are always held inside the designated room of the Secretariat and are never telecast live. Similarly, individuals summoned to submit clarifications are not heard in public view. Only after the proceedings conclude does the Jathedar brief the media,” the official said.

He recalled that senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha had earlier appeared before the Five High Priests. While that hearing was video-recorded, it was not broadcast live. Portions of that recording were later leaked, triggering widespread controversy.

Charges Against the CM

In a statement issued earlier by the Akal Takht Secretariat, Mann was held accountable for repeatedly making objectionable remarks that allegedly hurt Sikh sentiments. The statement accused him of challenging the authority of the Akal Takht, questioning the sanctity of ‘Daswandh’ and ‘Guru Ki Golak’—monetary offerings traditionally blessed by the Sikh Gurus.

The Secretariat also alleged that Mann had indulged in obnoxious and disrespectful actions towards images of Sikh Gurus and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, as seen in purported videos circulated earlier, describing such conduct as deeply offensive.

Why the Secretariat, Not the Faseel

Sources clarified that since the Chief Minister is not a ‘Sabat Surat Sikh’, he has been asked to appear before the Secretariat and not at the ‘Faseel’ (podium) of the Akal Takht, where formal religious pronouncements are traditionally delivered.

As January 15 approaches, Mann’s demand for a live telecast has added a new dimension to an already sensitive confrontation—raising questions about transparency versus tradition, and whether modern political communication can coexist with the long-established conventions of Sikh religious institutions.