AAP cites forensic reports clearing Punjab CM in sacrilege video controversy

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday stated that forensic tests from two independent laboratories have concluded that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann does not match the person in a controversial video linked to sacrilege allegations. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority in Sikhism, had recently declared Mr. Mann 'Guru Dokhi' (betrayer of the Guru) and 'Khalsa Panth Virodhi' (opponent of the Sikh community) over the matter.

Addressing the media, senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, along with AAP Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu, said the video was fake and part of a political conspiracy to defame the Chief Minister. Mr. Cheema claimed that two laboratories recognised by the Government of India examined 1,191 frames from the video, analysing facial features, height, body structure, posture, movement patterns, and profiles, and found no match to Mr. Mann.

Earlier this week, the Akal Takht issued an edict against Mr. Mann, citing allegations that he made false statements regarding the video. The Sikh clergy's action followed months of political tension over the video's authenticity.

Opposition parties have rejected the AAP's claims. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal challenged Mr. Mann to undergo a lie detector test. He alleged that the Chief Minister initially claimed the video was AI-generated but later changed his stance. Mr. Badal said two forensic labs had earlier found the video authentic and not AI-generated, and accused the AAP of manipulating reports within two days. He announced a 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' (righteousness campaign) from the Akal Takht on July 19 to demand Mr. Mann's removal.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called the AAP's defence 'lame' and accused the party of lying repeatedly. He questioned how the AAP obtained reports from two laboratories within 24 hours to give a clean chit to the Chief Minister.

The controversy continues to escalate, with both sides presenting conflicting evidence and the Akal Takht's edict adding religious dimensions to the political dispute. Efforts to reach the laboratories for independent verification were not immediately successful.