‘Akal Takht’ Declares CM Mann ‘Guru’s Betrayer’ & ‘Anti-Khalsa Panth’

Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT) acting Jathedar (leader) Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said on 15 Jun that two controversial videos allegedly related to Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had been found authentic during forensic examination. Giani Gargajj said, 'When the CM was summoned to the Akal Takht on 15 Jan, he was asked about the videos. He stated that the video was fake and had been generated using artificial intelligence.’ Protecting the identity of the laboratories from political pressure, Giani Gargajj said one was located in Panjab and another was a national laboratory. In one of the videos, CM Mann is purportedly seen sprinkling alcohol on the portraits of Sikh Gurus. Following a meeting of the Panj Sikh Sahiban (Five Loved Ones), Giani Gargajj declared CM Mann Guru Dokhi (Guru's betrayer) and Khalsa Panth Virodhi (anti-Sikh Collective). He also directed the Sikh Panth to have no connection with CM Mann. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the laboratory reports did not make it clear who the person was in the video. AAP Panjab media in-charge Baltej Singh Pannu said, 'The so-called forensic report being used to target CM Mann has failed to identify the person seen in the video.' On 16 Jun, CM Mann said the video was not his and this was a political conspiracy against him. Giani Gargajj also summoned all Sikh Members of Panjab Legislative Assembly irrespective of political parties on 29 Jun over objections to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, saying the legislation was enacted without consulting the Sikhs. Meanwhile, after 14 years, a Sikh group comprising 541 members left from the office of Sikh apex management body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), for the historic Gurdwaras in Pakistan to mark the martyrdom anniversary of the fifth Sikh Sovereign, Guru Arjan. While pilgrims from Panjab proceeded to Pakistan, a 94-member Sikh group from Haryana was forced to return from the Attari-Wagah international border after failing to receive the required government clearance from Pakistan. The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Jagdish Singh Jhinda accepted the responsibility for the lapse but blamed the Haryana government for delaying the notification of the visit (earlier coverage).

US & Iran Flags Photo by News Drum

US Signals End of War; Farmers Protest Fertilizer Shortage

The US and Iran agreed to a memorandum of understanding to end the war on 15 Jun. Mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, the deal will formally be signed in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 Jun. Meanwhile, the US attacked three tankers with Indian crew Marivax, Settebello, and Jalveer between 8–11 Jun in the Gulf of Oman. In the attack on Settebello on 10 Jun, three Indian seamen lost their lives. India summoned senior US diplomat Jason Meeks for the second time on 13 Jun. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the US attacks on ships in the Gulf of Oman ‘not justified’. Rubio responded that the US would not tolerate any violation of the blockade in the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz, signaling a defiant stance, and offered no commiseration or apology. Concurrently, as the paddy sowing season begins, farmers across five states, including Panjab and Haryana, protested on 8 Jun, against inadequate supplies of urea and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizers. In Panjab alone, demonstrations were held at 74 locations under the banner of the farmers union Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). In Panjab, 3M hectares are expected to come under paddy cultivation. The union government says there is an adequate supply of fertilizers in Panjab. Panjab Director Agriculture Gurjit Singh Brar said that against the total requirement of 1.5 MMT of urea between April and September, 11 MMT tonnes is available with the state but the Indiawide protests by farmers say otherwise. The state Agriculture Department has warned all fertilizer distributors and retailers against selling products above government-fixed rates, hoarding of stocks or forcing farmers to purchase other products. Moreover, China—which had earlier restricted fertilizer exports—also issued export quotas in recent weeks. This has helped improve global availability and temper prices of nitrogenous fertilizer. Alongside, scientists at Punjab Agricultural University have flagged the possibility of below-normal rainfall in Panjab under an emerging El Nino condition, warning that it could further strain the state’s already depleted groundwater reserves and pose fresh challenges for agriculture. Scientists have advised farmers to adopt water-conservation measures and climate-resilient farming practices including greater use of drip and sprinkler irrigation and measures to conserve soil moisture in anticipation of a potentially deficient monsoon (earlier coverage).

Bhakra Photo by Door Darshan News

Thunderstorm Damages Power Infra; Govt Urged to Release Bhakra Surplus Water

High-velocity winds accompanied by thunderstorms across parts of Panjab damaged numerous electricity poles and transformers on 13 Jun, disrupting power supply and causing losses of USD 21M to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The storm damaged more than 8,492 poles, 1,466 transformers, four km of high-tension cable wires, and more than 220 km of low-tension wires. Furthermore, canal breaches at two locations in Faridkot district—near Jaito and Kotkapura—left thousands of acres of agricultural land inundated, causing heavy losses to standing vegetable and newly planted paddy crops. In Jaito, the local Member of Legislative Assembly Amolak Singh said that the distributary is old and develops breaches almost every year due to mounting water pressure. In Kotkapura, farmers alleged that substandard material was used during the canal’s recent concrete reconstruction, which has already failed at six to seven points. Meanwhile, according to the latest data on 11 Jun, inflows into the Bhakra Dam stood at 16,527 cusecs, nearly 50% lower than the average inflow of 32,706 cusecs recorded during this period in 2025. The reason is limited snowfall in the Sutlej catchment area and delayed snowmelt caused by persistent western disturbances. Yet, on the same day, the reservoir level was recorded higher at 1,576.65 ft, compared to 1,555.30 ft in 2025, and an average level of 1,545.39 ft. The Public Action Committee (PAC), an environmental organization, has urged the Panjab government to release the surplus water to recharge water tables. PAC warned that the surplus should not be allowed to remain in the reservoir, risking emergency releases during the monsoon—as seen in 2023 and again on an even larger scale in 2025. PAC suggested using suitable canals and drains for groundwater recharge. The Bhakra Beas Management Board has urged partner states to draw more water before the monsoon. Concurrently, a survey conducted by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in flood-affected districts has revealed the emergence of new weed species and noticeable shift in weed flora, underscoring the need for regular monitoring and timely management. PAU has advised farmers to remain vigilant during the ongoing monsoon season and report any unusual weed infestations or unfamiliar plant species to experts (earlier coverage).

Army Generals at Darbar Sahib in 1984 Photo by Indian Express

Controversy Over BJP Leader’s Remark on ‘Operation Blue Star’

On 6 Jun, Maharashtra (MH) minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan triggered a political controversy when he described ‘Operation Blue Star’ (OBS) as a 'black day', criticized former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and compared the 1984 Army action at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) to the 18^th century invasions of Panjab by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani aka Abdali. Mahajan, a close aide of MH Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had appeared at the OBS 42^nd anniversary at the Damdami Taksal (Sikh seminary) headquarters Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, Mehta Chowk, Amritsar district, as an official representative of the BJP. Mahajan’s remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition parties in MH with leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) saying the minister had undermined India's army. They questioned the BJP's silence over the matter and demanded action against the minister. Indian National Congress (NC) also said Mahajan had insulted the armed forces. INC Panjab chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that the BJP routinely brands its political opponents as anti-national but the episode had fully exposed the party’s 'double standards.' He asked BJP to not 'play with fire' and warned the BJP against 'attempting to revive divisive and sectarian sentiments for electoral advantage'. Senior BJP leader and India’s Home Minister Amit Shah chose to distance himself from the statement by calling it Mahajan’s ‘personal opinion’. Shah and BJP national president Nitin Nabin met BJP Panjab leaders and said recovery of Panjab from its current financial decline was the top priority for the union government and party. Shah said that going forward, all strategies, policy, and politics of the BJP shall be aligned to this goal. Shah added, 'Panjab cannot be left to its fate, it has to be saved and restored to its old glory.' The BJP has launched an aggressive outreach campaign focusing on Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a demographic that could prove decisive in shaping the state's future political equations. On 13 Jun, the BJP convened a large meeting with OBC groups in Abohar, Fazilka district, the hometown of senior leader and former BJP Panjab president Sunil Jakhar. BJP Panjab chief Kewal Singh Dhillon said BJP will field former Panjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in the campaign for the 2027 Panjab Assembly election (earlier coverage).

Kirpan Photo by SikhiWiki

Sikh Man Stabbed in UK, Driver Averts Violence & FIFA Canada Allows 'Kirpan'

26-year-old Gurbhej Singh died in a knife attack in Southall, west London, on 10 Jun. A second man, in his 30s, who was also injured at the scene has been discharged from hospital after treatment. While the Metropolitan police arrested seven people, six have been let go after investigation, and one has been bailed pending further inquiries. Meanwhile, on the debate over carrying the Sikh article of faith—the kirpan (traditional sword)—publicly after the death of Henry Nowak and sentencing of Vickrum Singh Digwa, the UK Gurdwara Alliance has issued a public clarification stating that some social media commentators who support the kirpan ban do not represent the Sikh community, Sikh institutions or any recognized Sikh representative body. The Alliance said they have not been authorized, appointed, or mandated to speak on behalf of Sikhs and their views should be regarded as personal opinions rather than the position of the wider Sikh community. Concurrently, an incident in India highlighted the value of kirpans. On 11 Jun, at Jhajjar Gate in Farrukhnagar, Haryana, a group of men descended upon a truck driven by a Nihang Singh (traditional warrior) Ravinder Singh. The attack was prompted by a minor accident between his truck and a bus, where the bus driver was at fault. The bus driver’s supporters attacked the truck with rods and sticks, breaking the windscreen, and injuring Ravinder’s hand. Ravinder dismounted the truck with his kirpan and the mob dispersed. Ravinder, however, did not attack anyone and later said, 'I only wanted to scare the mob. Those people also have families and kids; I did not want to harm them.' This incident is a clear reminder of the Sikh code that mandates proper use of the kirpan. Subsequently, the FIFA World Cup football games scheduled in Canada have also allowed the kirpan with the mandate that the blade must not exceed 10 cm in length and must remain securely fastened within its sheath at all times (earlier coverage).

AAP Leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Bhagwant Mann Photo by The Hindu

AAP Faces Anti-Incumbency, INC Leadership Crisis & Weak Response to CJP

With state Legislative Assembly elections in Panjab in early 20227, the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is increasingly finding itself on the defensive against sections of voters—including government employees, contractual workers, and unemployed youth—who had contributed significantly to the party’s landslide victory in 2022. Over the past few weeks, protests across Panjab have intensified, exposing growing resentment over pending demands related to jobs, wages, promotions, Dearness Allowance (cost of living adjustment, DA), and pension benefits. On 4 Jun, the police brutally caned protesting apprentice linemen. Since 26 May more than 1,800 outsourced employees working at over 500 Sewa Kendras (service centers) across Panjab have been on strike, demanding enhanced wages. Sanitary workers too paralyzed sanitation services in 135 urban local bodies between 6–22 May, while the Punjab Civil Secretariat and Ministerial Services Union along with other employee organizations representing staff in over 50 government departments, continue to press for the release of pending DA installments. Meanwhile, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal visited Panjab and said the assembly elections could be advanced to November 2026. He added, the party will contest them under the leadership of incumbent Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Simultaneously, unable to resolve factionalism and the leadership tangle in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (state unit, PPCC) ahead of the assembly elections, the Indian National Congress (INC) has appointed three observers to Panjab—Ajay Maken, Meenakshi Natarajan, and Bhajan Lal Jatav—to assess the political scenario. Concurrently, as questions over examination irregularities continue to resonate among students across India, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on 11 Jun launched a nationwide campaign seeking reforms in the education system and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reached Amritsar on 13 Jun. Dipke invoked freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and the Farmers’ Protest as he addressed the small 350 people gathering comprising farmers and activists. He said, 'Our youth movement cannot succeed without Panjab’s support.’ He asked people to gather in Delhi on 20 Jun. While CJP continues to get police protection, students protesting under INC banners are treated harshly by police across India (earlier coverage).

Panjab Transport Strike Photo by Hindustan Times

Roadways Employees Strike, Workers Registration & Cancer Drugs to Cost More

Buses operated by Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punbus remained off the roads following a strike by contractual employees on 9 Jun which was called off on 10 Jun after talks with the state Transport Secretary Varun Roojam. Around 4,700 workers participated in the strike under the banner Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC Contract Workers Union (Punjab) protesting the induction of private buses under the kilometre scheme. The strike, initially scheduled from 22–24 Jun, was advanced after Panjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema flagged off five Volvo buses operating under the Punbus km scheme for the Delhi airport route from Chandigarh on 9 Jun. The employees said that instead of bringing private operators into public transport, the government should strengthen Punbus and PRTC by adding more state-owned buses and filling vacant posts. They are also demanding regularization of services, implementation of equal pay for equal work, reinstatement of dismissed employees, withdrawal of cases registered during earlier protests, and better welfare benefits for outsourced workers. Concurrently, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a massive enrolment drive to register and revalidate 1M construction workers waiving the standard USD 1.52 (INR 150) registration fee. He noted that only 221K workers are currently registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board despite the large-scale construction activity taking place across Panjab. Additionally, the Panjab government has directed all government and private hospitals, and nursing homes not to withhold dead bodies over non-payment of hospital bills or any other pending dues. Furthermore, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Baljit Kaur, said a state action plan worth USD 4.55M has been proposed under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction in 2026–27 which includes drug prevention initiatives, awareness campaigns, life skills education, counseling services, de-addiction and rehabilitation programs. Meanwhile, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority approved steep increases in the ceiling prices of essential cancer chemotherapy drugs, anti-tetanus immunoglobulin injections, and key childhood immunization vaccines on 8 Jun, citing sharp increases in raw material costs and the need to prevent supply shortages. Simultaneously, the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (Rupnagar), has brought in a non-profit organization, Rocket Learning, to deploy artificial intelligence and technology-enabled training programmes for Anganwadi workers—frontline caregivers and early childhood educators (earlier coverage).

Panjab CM Bhagwant Mann Photo by Deccan Herald

‘BJP Misusing Agencies to Harass Hindu Traders,’ says CM Mann

Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on 9 Jun slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian union government for ‘harassing Hindu traders’ after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in a money laundering probe involving former state minister Sanjeev Arora. On 8 Jun, the ED conducted fresh searches in a money laundering investigation involving Arora and associates in an alleged USD 10.6M Goods and Service Tax (GST) fraud case linked to the sale of mobile phones. ED carried out raids at the residences and offices of Jalandhar-based Amit Bajaj, a contractor with the Panjab Local Government Department, and his brother Inderjit Bajaj, a chartered accountant. Amit, a well-connected trader, enjoyed proximity with top political leaders across party lines and was seen attending official events of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Jalandhar. Garg, a close associate of Sanjeev Arora and his partner Hemant Sood, was arrested by the central GST department in connection with an alleged bogus billing racket involving transactions worth around USD 27M in November 2020. The ED stated, ‘The action is part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The raids covered both residences and business offices connected with individuals and entities under investigation in the case of Hampton Sky Realty Ltd, a company linked to Arora.’ Responding to Mann, the BJP defended the ED raids across Panjab and accused the ruling AAP of attempting to communalize the enforcement action by projecting it as a crackdown on Hindu traders. Additionally, AAP Jalandhar (Central) Member of Legislative Assembly Raman Arora and Indian National Congress leader Kushaldeep Singh alias Kikki Dhillon appeared before the ED for the second time on 11 Jun. Both leaders had earlier also appeared before the ED in cases of suspected violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Additionally, a 2012-batch Panjab Civil Services officer Anupreet Kaur was arrested by the Tarn Taran Police on 16 May. Anupreet is accused of siphoning off USD 172K in public money during a land acquisition drive for a national highway project and has been battling embezzlement and forgery allegations for the last six years. Kaur was posted in Patti, Tarn Taran district, at the time of the alleged irregularities (earlier coverage).

Child trafficking (representational image) Photo by Indian Express

Private School Fee Hike Capped; Children Trafficked for Labor Rescued

After Panjab Chief Minister’s announcement mandating private schools to cap annual fee increase at 5%, state Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has directed amendments to the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, (amended in 2019). Data reveals that Panjab received 166 complaints related to private school fees since 2022. Nearly 80% of these complaints have been disposed of, while the remaining cases are under examination. Ludhiana recorded the highest number of complaints at 40, followed by Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (22), Ferozepur (11), Amritsar (11), and Rupnagar (10). The Punjab Human Rights Commission has sought a probe into the suicide of 17-year-old student, Amjot Kaur over fee-related pressure from her school management. Meanwhile, nine children were rescued from child labor during raids in Khanna. The district task force, led by the District Child Protection Officer, Rashmi Saini, conducted raids at various shops and eateries. The rescued children were presented before the Child Welfare Committee, Ludhiana, and would be handed over to their kin after counseling. Additionally, 14 children allegedly being trafficked to Panjab for labor, were rescued from two trains at Ambala Cantonment Railway Station. Eight minor boys being transported to Ludhiana, Khanna, and Patiala by the train Jan Nayak Express were rescued on 3 Jun and six children being taken to different locations in Panjab by the train Karambhoomi Express were rescued on 4 Jun. Data reveals that since August 2025, almost 110 children have been rescued from 12 trains heading towards Panjab from West Bengal and Bihar. The children were rescued in the joint rescue operations by the team of Non-Government Organization Zila Yuva Vikas Sangathan (ZYVS), Railway Protection Force, and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. ZYVS Programme Coordinator Ajay Tiwari said that the children are taken for work in garment manufacturing units, cycle manufacturing units, bread factories, rice mills, and agricultural fields. ZYVS president Paramjeet Singh Badola said, 'Five such rescue operations have been conducted over the last 20 days. The children were being taken in the past, too, but now we are getting credible information more frequently, due to which we have been able to rescue them.' Furthermore, a minor girl, Navjot Kaur, who went missing in Ludhiana on 29 Apr and a 21-year old woman who went missing in Aug 2025 are yet to be traced (earlier coverage).

Artist Gian Singh Naqsh's Mohrakashi Dehin Design Photo from Wikipedia

10.

The Divine Artform of Naqqashi & its Diminishing Lineage

The magnificent floral drawings, mirror inlays, and gold-leaf manawat (embossed) work have defined the interior splendour of Gurdwaras for generations. Known as naqqashi (decorative art), the form has survived the test of time. However, today the last surviving lineage of master naqqashi artists are fighting, along with conservationists—including at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur at Baba Bakala, Gurdaspur district, and Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh at Naurangabad, Tarn Taran district—to preserve their art form and its authentic techniques. In 1805, Maharaja Ranjit Singh invited skilled craftsmen from Chiniot (now in Pakistan) for the interior decoration and beautification of Darbar Sahib. These Muslim craftsmen decorated the first-floor ceiling of Darbar Sahib with intricate naqqashi and mohra-kashi (a form of curved mirror work). Led by master artisan Badarmuhiudin, these Muslim craftsmen continued to work in Amritsar and nearby historic Gurdwaras for nearly a century, sparking a cultural exchange that gave rise to a unique Sikh school of naqqashi. The word naqqashi comes from the Arabic word naqsh (to draw or create an image). Artist Harpreet Singh Naaz from Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib says, ‘The term itself reflects this art form’s Arabic-Persian roots and its development during the Mughal period. During the Sikh empire, a distinct school of naqqashi emerged, clearly different from the decorative traditions seen in Mughal monuments’. Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule (1801–1839) is popularly known as Sikh empire. Naqqashi became so widespread in Amritsar that an entire street near Darbar Sahib became known as Gali Naqqashan (street of the naqqash artists). Many well-known artists lived and worked there, including Jawahar Singh Naqqash, Nihal Singh Naqqash, Amir Singh Naqqash, and Ganesha Singh Naqqash. Among naqqashi’s greatest artists was Gyan Singh Naqqash (1883–1953), an exponent of the Kangra School, who also documented the craft for future generations by authoring Panjabi books such as ‘Naqqashi Darpan’ and ‘Naqqashi Art Sikhya’. Professor from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Dr. Balbinder Kumar who is involved in restoration work at Darbar Sahib, explains that traditional art survived through family-based artistic schools known as gharanas, which received patronage from Mughal rulers, hill states, Sikh rulers, and princely kingdoms. Art historian Subhash Parihar says that in today’s time government agencies and religious institutions have not done enough to protect Panjab’s artistic heritage (earlier coverage).

Notes

Updates

IN: Kashmir mutton dealers urge action on Panjab livestock transport fee (earlier coverage).
CAN: Manitoba retires student pathway to Permanent Residency (earlier coverage).
PAK: Sindh, Balochistan face severe water shortages across Pakistan after Indus Water Treaty placed in abeyance (earlier coverage).

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‘Akal Takht’ Declares CM Mann ‘Guru’s Betrayer’ & ‘Anti-Khalsa Panth’