Row over ‘ Bhagwant Mann video’: Punjab CM digs in heels as Opposition calls for boycott

2 min readChandigarhJun 25, 2026 04:32 AM IST

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. (PTI Photo)

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday dug his heels in rejecting the allegations that the forensic report that gave him a clean chit on a controversial video was fabricated and accused the ruling BJP in Haryana of pressuring the lab owners to target him, even as the Opposition parties escalated the attack demanding his resignation and social boycott.

Mann, in a video message, claimed the Congress, BJP and the Akali Dal have formed a “sanjha morcha” (common front) to defame him on religious grounds as they failed to challenge him politically. He said for the past few days, fake videos were being released as part of a “cheap political conspiracy” and reiterated there was no resemblance between him and the person seen in the video.

“By making that video viral, I was declared guilty,” he said.

As the row intensified, Opposition parties accused Mann of trying to undermine the authority of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs and demanded that the CM be booked under the new anti-sacrilege law.

Addressing media persons in Chandigarh, Congress leaders called upon people to observe a complete social boycott of Mann. Party’s state unit chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that the Congress was unanimous in its demand for Mann’s resignation.

The SAD appealed to Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to register an FIR against Mann as well as those who, it alleged, got the “fake” forensic reports with the “sole motive of refuting Sri Akal Takht Sahib and lowering its dignity”. BJP, too, continued its attack on Mann over the row.

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.

Professional Background

Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.

Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.

Special Projects:

Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.

Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)

Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:

1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs

"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.

"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.

"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.

2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls

"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.

"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.

"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.

3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy

"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.

"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.

4. Welfare & Economy

"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.

"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).

Signature Beat

Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.

X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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Tags:

Bhagwant Mann

Punjab