Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has termed the controversial viral video linked to him as "completely fake" and expressed his willingness to have it examined through forensic investigation.
Speaking while appearing before the Akal Takht over various pending matters, the Chief Minister said he himself wants the video to be scientifically verified. Mann stated that in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is possible to create fabricated videos of anyone and insisted that the authenticity of the clip should be established through forensic analysis.
Jathedar kuldeep Singh Gargaj asked the Chief Minister to suggest two government forensic laboratories where the video could be examined. Mann agreed to the proposal and said the government is prepared for an investigation under the supervision of the Jathedar.
The Jathedar emphasized that the issue concerns the Sikh Gurus and said that if the video is false, no individual should face character assassination. He added that only a forensic examination can determine whether the video is genuine or fabricated.
When asked whether the government had already conducted its own examination, Mann said he possesses a court order that describes the video as false. However, the Jathedar responded that he had reviewed the court order and that no forensic examination of the video had been carried out by the court.
The Jathedar further announced that the Akal Takht would independently send the video to two separate forensic laboratories for verification, while asking the government to do the same through two laboratories of its own. He said that if the video is proven fake, the matter would become clear, but if it is found to be genuine, the Khalsa Panth would decide the next course of action.
Chief Minister Mann reiterated that he supports a forensic probe and maintained that the video is fabricated. He also alleged that Jagman Samra has previously shared several misleading videos targeting him and said the government is ready to facilitate a forensic investigation if directed by the Jathedar.
