Stop Challenging Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Respect Sikh Sentiments: Randhawa Warns AAP Government

Chandigarh, June 18, 2026: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, termed the questions raised by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the decision of Sri Akal Takht Sahib as unfortunate and contrary to Sikh traditions and principles. He said that the Punjab Government should immediately stop its politics of confrontation with the highest religious institution of the Sikhs.
Randhawa stated that the remarks made by Cheema during today’s press conference clearly indicate that the Aam Aadmi Party and the Punjab Government are attempting to publicly challenge the decision of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He said this is not only against Sikh traditions but is also hurtful to the religious sentiments of millions of devotees.
He advised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to keep his ministers restrained and refrain from taking a confrontational approach toward Sikh institutions. Targeting religious institutions for political gains has never been Punjab’s tradition, nor will the people of Punjab accept it. If the truth regarding CM Mann’s alleged viral video is to be established, it should be examined by a Central Forensic Laboratory.
Randhawa said that the Aam Aadmi Party had initially described the video as fake and artificially generated, but when that argument failed to hold ground, new explanations began to emerge. 
According to him, the government’s changing statements have made the entire matter even more suspicious. The public wants to know that if the government was so confident about its position, why it remained silent for months. He questioned how a forensic report on the alleged viral video was obtained within just a few hours now, and why such an investigation was not conducted earlier. He alleged that the video is now being declared fake in an attempt to shield CM Mann.
He further stated that instead of engaging in a political battle with Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Punjab Government should focus on Punjab’s real issues, including drug abuse, unemployment, law and order, and the problems faced by farmers.
Randhawa emphasized that maintaining respect for the dignity, traditions, and institutions of the Sikh community is the responsibility of every Sikh and every public representative. 
He said that the Punjab Government should fulfill this responsibility by avoiding politics of controversy and confrontation. If the government or any of its ministers had objections, doubts, or required clarification regarding any decision, they could have respectfully met the Jathedar Sahib and presented their concerns. Challenging the dignity of Sri Akal Takht Sahib through media statements is not befitting of any responsible government.