Morphed Atishi video a conspiracy to incite communal unrest in Punjab: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann Sunday, launched a strong rebuttal to the BJP over the tampering of former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s Delhi Assembly video, terming it a deliberate conspiracy to provoke communal unrest in Punjab.

The Chief Minister said the video was edited with false subtitles, describing the act as beadbi (sacrilege), and pointed out that forensic findings have conclusively established that Atishi never used the word “Guru.”

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Defending the Punjab Police’s action over the beadbi of Guru Sahibs, CM Mann said the falsified clip does not figure anywhere in the official Assembly records.

He added that the BJP is pursuing an anti-Punjab agenda on issues ranging from Chandigarh and the BBMB to Panjab University, while opposition leaders, he remarked, were scrambling to defend lies in the absence of any real issue against the state government.

Addressing a press conference in Bathinda, the Chief Minister said, “Ever since its inception, the BJP has pursued the politics of communalism, divisiveness and hatred. With the Assembly elections approaching, the party has started implementing this agenda in Punjab to divide people on sectarian lines. The BJP morphed the video of the former Delhi Chief Minister by inserting its own subtitles. Even the forensic investigation has clearly established that the word ‘Guru’ was never used by the AAP leader.”

The Chief Minister said misrepresenting facts to suit political needs was an old strategy of the saffron party and that this act had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh sangat.

“By morphing the video, they have committed sacrilege. This is intolerable, and they will be punished for their sins,” he said, adding that the video had clearly been morphed as the words attributed to the former Delhi Chief Minister did not appear in the official proceedings of the House.

Referring to BJP leader Kapil Mishra, CM Mann said, “The leader who uploaded the morphed video on social media will have to face the consequences of his actions. The Punjab Police rightly registered a case against him. There is no issue of Delhi Assembly privilege here. He has been booked for hurting the sentiments of the common people and will face strict action as per the law.”

Citing the BJP’s anti-Punjab stand on issues such as Chandigarh, the BBMB, Panjab University, Republic Day tableaux and other matters, the Chief Minister said the saffron party’s mindset towards Punjab was hostile.

“Former CM Captain Amarinder Singh, state BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu are in an awkward situation today, as they are forced to justify the BJP’s enmity towards Punjab through a bundle of lies,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the BJP and its leadership had little respect for the great Sikh Guru Sahibs. “The Prime Minister never even found time to accept the invitation to attend events commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Neither the Prime Minister nor any senior central leader visited Punjab to pay obeisance during these events. This reflects a narrow and myopic mindset towards Sikhs and our great Guru Sahibs,” he said.

CM Mann said the Congress, Akali Dal and BJP were following the same line against Punjab and its government. “These parties even issue identical press notes at different times of the day only to spread venom against the state government,” he added.

Slamming Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Chief Minister said, “Sukhbir Badal is shedding crocodile tears over Punjab’s issues, but these are the same leaders who consented to granting central university status to Panjab University and who hailed Modi for the draconian farm laws.”

He said these parties were responsible for patronising drug smugglers and gangsters in the past, adding, “Even today, they continue to give party tickets to gangsters.”

Taking a jibe at former Congress minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, CM Mann said, “Randhawa should remember that his father had congratulated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for Operation Bluestar. The sitting Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur represents the same Congress party that carried out Operation Bluestar at the holiest Sikh shrine.”

The Chief Minister said that in the absence of any real issue against the Punjab government, opposition leaders had lost their mental balance. “Despite this, my government remains fully committed to the welfare of every section of society, and no stone is being left unturned to ensure inclusive development,” he said.

Highlighting achievements in education, CM Mann said, “Government schools are being upgraded into Schools of Eminence and, due to the sustained efforts of the state government, Punjab has secured the top position nationwide in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing Kerala for the first time. From government schools, 848 students have qualified NEET, 265 have cleared JEE Main and 45 have cleared JEE Advanced.”

The Chief Minister said principals and teachers were being sent to Singapore, Finland and Ahmedabad for professional training. On religious matters, he said, “I will appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15 with all facts. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is the highest temporal seat of our community.”

CM Mann unequivocally asserted, “For me, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji is above everything, and any order received from there will be obeyed in true letter and spirit. Its command was, is and will always remain supreme for me and my family. It is a highly revered place from where Sikhs derive divine peace and strength.”

Clarifying the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Chief Minister said, “There is no politics behind forming the SIT. Only those who have committed this sin are afraid of the probe. The SGPC was elected around 14 years ago and has continued to function despite many members having passed away or moved abroad.” He added that misleading statements were made by SGPC authorities whenever it suited their interests.