New Delhi [India], January 15 : Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal slammed the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday, over alleged remarks against Sri Akal Takht. in a scathing attack on Maan she claimed that he "drinks alcohol" before visiting religious and government places as well as gives a place in his government to "thieves and thugs". She claimed that Mann was "stashing away millions of rupees in Australia".
Through an official X post, she said, "Millions of rupees stashed away in Australia, and yet he goes to gurdwaras, temples, government meetings, and Parliament after drinking alcohol. A man who gives places in his government to thieves and thugs is now making vile statements and accusations on the sacred Sri Akal Takht. This is the darkest Kali Yuga. The height of shamelessness!"
https://x.com/SwatiJaiHind/status/2011690227199590800
The Rajya Sabha MP also claimed the period as the "darkest Kali Yuga" in response to Bhagwant Mann's alleged statement.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who appeared today before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat over his alleged remarks on Sikh traditions, claimed that there was no truth in the narratives being spread on social media against him.
After appearing before the secretariat, he said that the Singh Sahib's decision would be communicated to him and that he would respect the body's upcoming decision. He also claimed that a video of him making the remaks was "fake" and proposed that it be examined by a forensic laboratory.
Addressing mediapersons he said, "I presented my side before Sri Akal Takht Sahib against any complaints they got against me. I have presented written evidence before Akal Takht Sahib. Also clarified that the narratives circulating on social media alleging that Bhagwant Mann is challenging Sri Akal Takht Sahib are false. I have no standing before Akal Takht Sahib to do such a thing. Singh sahib's decision will be communicated to me. Singh sahib's decision will be respected...I told him the video was fake and it can be examined at any forensic laboratory..."
Mann was summoned before the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat allegedly for making comments on 'Guru ki Golak' (a gurdwara donation box), according to the PRO (Public Relations Officer) of 'Sri Akal Takht Sahib'.
According to the PRO, the Jathedars presented a copy of the monthly Gurdwara Gazette magazine related to the Sikh code of conduct and letters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to the Chief Minister during his appearance before Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj and Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Tek Singh at the Secretariat.'