India, June 16 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has found himself in the middle of another controversy after Akal Takht declared him a "Guru Dokhi" and "Khalsa Panth Virodhi". The development comes at a time when Punjab begins moving towards the 2027 Assembly election, and it has triggered an intense debate across political and religious circles. The Akal Takht is considered one of the highest temporal authorities of the sikh community and is summoned by all the Sikh MLAs regardless of party affiliation, along with the members of the Punjab Cabinet, to appear before it on June 29.

Why Did the Akal Takht Take Action?

The dispute revolves around an alleged sacrilege video, which was claimed to have hurt Sikh religious sentiments. Th...