The confrontation between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Sri Akal Takht Sahib has taken a fresh turn, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs appearing at the institution’s secretariat on Friday to apologise over party MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura’s allegations of caste-based discrimination.
The legislators apologised over party MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura’s allegations of caste-based discrimination
The development comes as the AAP government faces mounting criticism over Punjab’s drug menace and law-and-order issues, particularly after the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. The opposition’s argument is likely to centre around whether AAP has handled the dispute with the sensitivity expected in a matter involving the Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The fact that the party’s own legislators have now apologised and disowned Giaspura’s remarks gives rival parties another point of attack.
With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the controversy is another politically sensitive issue for the ruling party to contend with.
The legislators admitted their mistake, sought forgiveness from the Guru Sahib and distanced themselves from Giaspura’s remarks, describing them as his personal views, according to a statement issued by the Akal Takht secretariat. “The legislators present today sought forgiveness from the Guru Sahib,” the statement said.
