AAP claims silicone mask used in alleged sacrilegious video involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday claimed that a silicone mask resembling Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was used to create the alleged sacrilegious video that has triggered a political controversy in the state.

In a social media post, AAP alleged that a person wearing a mask similar to Mann’s face recorded the video as part of a conspiracy to defame the chief minister. The party also shared a video claiming to show differences in skin tone and mask lines as evidence.

“The entire conspiracy by the Akali, BJP and Congress against CM Bhagwant Mann has been exposed,” AAP said in its post on X, alleging that a person linked to the Shiromani Akali Dal recorded the fake video while wearing a silicone mask.

The party also shared another clip in which a man, identified by Mann as Canada-based Jagman Samra, is seen holding a mask resembling the chief minister’s face and saying in Punjabi, “you put a face on a face.”

AAP claimed the video showed that the person behind the alleged fake clip was holding a mask of Mann’s face and plotting to defame him.

What is the Punjab video controversy?

The controversy began after an alleged objectionable video surfaced, following which the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal body, issued an edict against Mann on June 15.

The matter relates to Mann being summoned earlier this year over allegations of making remarks about “Guru ki Golak” (gurdwara donation box) and engaging in “objectionable activities” involving images of Sikh Gurus and slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the purported video.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj had said the video, which allegedly showed a man resembling Mann, was declared authentic by two forensic laboratories.

AAP later produced a forensic report claiming the person seen in the video was not Bhagwant Mann, leading to another round of political debate.

The Haryana Police subsequently arrested two people after a complaint regarding the forensic report, which police alleged was fabricated.

Mann’s response

Mann and AAP have consistently denied that he appears in the alleged video. The chief minister on Thursday again said he was not the person shown in the clip and claimed the individual was wearing a mask resembling his face.

Mann alleged that the video was recorded in a hotel room in Abbotsford, Canada, and said he had not travelled to Canada since 2016. He questioned who made the video, who funded it and who was behind the alleged conspiracy.

“Who installs pictures of Guru Sahib in hotels?” Mann asked, while saying details about the alleged producer and director of the video would be revealed later.

The chief minister also said he would submit the new video to the Akal Takht for examination.