A major political controversy has erupted in Punjab over a purportedly fake video and subsequent boycott calls by religious institutions. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly condemned the opposition for circulating a fabricated video to incite public hatred, highlighting physical discrepancies, such as a noticeable height difference, between the individual in the footage and the actual leader. He questioned the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee over its selective actions, pointing out that boycott boards were displayed now, but similar actions were notably absent during the 2015 sacrilege and firing incidents involving former leaders. Emphasising profound respect for the Akal Takht, he expressed readiness to appear before the highest temporal seat of Sikhism whenever summoned. The controversy has intensified as the ruling party launched a fierce counterattack against the opposition factions, reminding them of past allegations involving Operation Blue Star and the 2015 sacrilege. Meanwhile, the state government remains focused on highlighting grassroots development initiatives, including free electricity and employment opportunities across villages and cities in Punjab.
